How to split text into different cells?

Hi muneerhanbali,

The idea, as is generally done in Excel, is to select cells in only one column. After you've done that, run the script. Then click the upper-left cell of the range where you want the "split" data, and command-v to paste. You want to pick a paste area where there aren't any values that you want to preserve.

If, after selecting cells in only one column and then running the script, you're still getting that message, could you post a screenshot with sample data? That will help me see if there is a bug that needs squashing.

BTW, Excel is really good at splitting all kinds of text into columns. It seems that it can handle almost anything. It's the gold standard. However, in my experience, this Automator Service also does a very good job in most situations.

SG

You have no idea how much time and pain this saved me...thank you so much for this.

Are you referring to the 'Text to Columns' Automator Service? If so, glad to hear it's working there.

SG

Yes. It turned a 24 hour job into probably a 6 hour job.

so very thank you! This was doing my head in completely 🙂

Glad to hear it's working for you!

SG

Hi SG,

Sorry to bother you again with this. It isn't working for me I keep getting the message "Did you select ONE column of cells with contents to split?", despite having selected only cells in ONE column. Any idea of how to fix it?

Thank you very much in advance!

Hi RUN25,

I've checked to make sure the Service is still working here. No problems here. That error message appears when the script encounters any trouble, even if the error isn't related to selecting more than one column. I suggest trying it on a few test cells, and if that works, inspect the cells you need to split to see if there is something unusual there.

Also in System Preferences > Privacy & Security > Privacy > Accessibility make sure both Automator.app and Script Editor.app are checked.

And, of course, don't forget to try quitting and restarting your machine.

SG

Hadn't checked Automator.app and Script Editor.app, it's working now. Thank you so much!

That's good to know. Thanks for posting.

SG

Thanks for the tip about checking script editor in accessibility settings, got it working for me. Question: Is there any way to add a "separator character" to the list of options. I am organizing urls and the script unfortunately isn't super useful for that purpose unless I can separate by / . Thanks!

I've added / . Try downloading here (same link as before).

SG

THANK YOU. It's perfect

Hi SGIII, thanks for developing the script. I am in need of this. The link you had given is not working. I am getting File not found. Can you please send updated link. Thanks.

Try this updated link.

SG