How To Extract Text From A Cell (Using The LEFT, RIGHT, And MID Functions) In Excel Explained

In this video we discuss how to use the LEFT, RIGHT, And MID function to extract text from the front middle or end of a text thread in excel. We go through an example for each situation

Transcript/notes
Let’s say that you want to extract some text from some cells in excel, such as in this example worksheet. The left, right, mid functions will allow you to do so.

For instance, say we want to extract the day of the week from these dates, and put them in column B. For the first date, we left click on the first answer cell, cell B2, so it is highlighted. Next, we type in an equals sign, then we type in the letters le and a drop down box will appear. From here, we left double click on the top option, left.

Now, in our answer cell we have the word left, then an open parenthesis, this is asking us to put some information in here. From here, we are going to left click on the cell we want to apply the left function to, in this case cell A2. Next, we type in a comma, then we need to type in the number of characters we want to extract, in this case Wed, so 3 characters. Then we type in a closed parenthesis, then hit the enter key, and we have extracted Wed from the cell.

We can then use the fill handle, as you see here to finish off the column.
Next, we want to extract the year, or the last part of the text thread. We left click on the answer cell, cell C2. Next, we type in an equals sign, then we type in the letters ri and a drop down box will appear. From here, we left double click on the top option, right.

Again, in our answer cell we have the word right. From here, we are going to left click on the cell we want to apply the right function to, in this case cell A2. Next, we type in a comma, then we need to type in the number of characters we want to extract from the end of the text thread, in this case 1999, so 4 characters. Then we type in a closed parenthesis, then hit the enter key, and we have extracted 1999 from the cell. And again, use the fill handle to fill in the rest of the column.

Now for the mid function. In this case we want to extract the middle part of the text thread. We left click on cell D2, then type in an equals sign. Then we type in the letters mi and a drop down box will appear. From here, we left double click on the top option, mid.

From here, we are going to left click on the cell we want to apply the mid function to, in this case cell A2. Next, we type in a comma, then we need to type in the number of the first character in the text thread we want to extract, in this case the A in Aug. If we count over from the start, as you see here, that is character number 6, so type in a 6, then a comma. Now we need to type in the number of characters we want to extract, starting with A from Aug. We have Aug, then a space, which counts as a character, then 12, so 6 total characters, type in a 6.

Then we type in a closed parenthesis, and hit the enter key, and we have extracted Aug 12.

One quick note, you can use the mid function to extract any middle part of a text thread, as you see here, there are 4 sections in this thread, and I have the formula set up to extract 4:44 pm. I hit the enter key, and it has been extracted.

Chapters/Timestamps
0:00 What are the LEFT, RIGHT And MID functions
0:10 How to extract the beginning of a text thread using the LEFT function
1:01 How to extract the end of a text thread using the RIGHT function
1:46 How to extract the middle of a text thread using the MID function
2:53 Other ways to use the MID function

Видео How To Extract Text From A Cell (Using The LEFT, RIGHT, And MID Functions) In Excel Explained канала Whats Up Dude