Hello. In this tutorial, we’ll learn how to slice a string in Google Sheets. If I were to cut a string, I would break it and take out a substring, like “String,” from which I would like to take out only the “ring.” Thus, we say “slicing a string” in this way.
You may argue that because it can be done by hand, why should we learn how to do it? Alright, so can you now obtain the substrings manually from a database that has a large amount of data? Naturally, no. So, using a variety of Google Sheets tools, we will discover how to slice a string in this post. In programming, the phrase “slice” is typically used to obtain a substring; alternatively, it can also mean “removing a character from a string” or, more simply, “taking a substring from a string.” It should be noted that the term “String” does not refer to just words, names, or characters. The techniques we’ll study apply to numerical data as well.
Example of using Google Sheets to slice a string
Large data sets are something we work with on Google Sheets, and occasionally we get into situations where we have to take a substring out of a string that has already been written. Thus, we must have a few methods to cut a string from the beginning, middle, or end under these circumstances. Automation uses it extensively when using add-ons such as mail merge. Alternatively, you can use any mailing add-on that pulls user information directly from the sheet.
Slice can be a helpful feature in that case. We can extract the first name from the whole name, extract the last name from it, or extract the first character and ignore it. We are going to discover in this post that we are capable of doing anything on either end of a string. Hopefully, you now have a basic understanding of string slicing and the necessity to learn how to do it in Google Sheets.
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How to Slice a String in Google Sheets
Here, we’ll walk over the exact steps needed to execute a string slice and obtain a substring. I need to gather a substring from the sample data that will be shown to us initially. I’ll utilize a variety of functions to complete the same work; you can select the function that best fits your needs and your particular issue.
Slice a String in Google Sheets – By Using the RIGHT Function
Google Sheets users can extract a substring from a string on the right side by using the RIGHT function. Stated differently. It removes the substring from the left side and returns a substring from the end of the provided String.
Syntax
RIGHT(String, numbers-to-retain)
Here,
String: the values to be retained can be strings, numbers, or characters. For example, the values 1, 2, and 3 can be retained, and the value N-1 will be eliminated.
Now let’s put this function to use and extract a substring.
Step 1>
Demo data.
Step 2>
Utilizing the writing function in a cell close by
Step 3>
providing the cell address as the initial parameter.
Step 4>
Transmission of the numbers to be retained (e.g. 2).
Step 5>
The end result.
The remaining characters will be deleted, leaving only two on the right.
Note: Negative numbers, like those in JavaScript, cannot be used.
Slice a String in Google Sheets – by Using the LEFT Function
This lesson will teach you how to use Google Sheets’ LEFT function to slice a string. The LEFT function functions similarly to the RIGHT function. The LEFT function returns the value from the left side and removes it from the right side, whereas the RIGHT function returns the values from the right side and removes them from the left. This is the only difference.
Syntax
LEFT(String, numbers-to-retain)
similar to a RIGHT function syntax
Let’s put it into action right away.
Step 1>
Demo Data.
Step 2>
Write the Formula.
Step 3>
Move on to the first argument.
Step 4>
Move on to the second argument.
Step 5>
The end result.
In Google Sheets, you can slice a string from the right side in this manner.
Let us discuss finding a substring starting from the middle.
Slice a String in Google Sheets – by Using the MID Function
Another useful feature in Google Sheets for slicing a string is MID. This function allows us to create the reminder and remove characters from a String quickly from the left side. This implies that we can remove values logically from both ends. A string segment is returned by the MID function. Examining the syntax now
Syntax
MID(cell_reference,start_position,length)
Here,
Cell reference: a number can be supplied straight to the start position, and it can be a cell’s reference or a direct value (String in double quotes): It is a length number, which needs to be greater than zero.
Length: it is the length of the number that the function will return.
Step 1>
Demo Data.
Step 2>
MID function writing in any close by cell.
Step 3>
Give the first parameter (the value or reference to the cell).
Step 4>
Move the second argument to the starting position.
Step 5>
The third parameter should be given (length to be returned).
Step 6>
The general formula will be as follows:
=MID(E2,6,3)
Step 7>
Hit the Enter key to finish.
This is how you can get a segment of a string using the MID function, which can be manipulated from both the left and right sides.
Slice a String in Google Sheets -by Using the REPLACE Function
This section explains how to use the REPLACE function in Google Sheets to slice a string. The replace function is a member of a separate family and uses a slightly different logic to extract a substring from a string; instead of removing characters, it replaces the string’s name. To further comprehend this function, let’s look at the syntax and a little sample.
Syntax
REPLACE(text, position, length, new_text)
Here,
text: any text or allusion to a cell
location: the initial point at which the replacement should be made
length: the number of characters that need to be changed
New Text: replace within the new text.
Thus, we logically eliminate them while replacing them by using the last argument, which is an empty string.
Here is a case study
Step 1>
Demo Data.
Step 2>
Write the REPLACE function.
Step 3>
Pass the first parameter.
Step 4>
Pass the second parameter.
Step 5>
Pass the third parameter.
Step 6>
Pass the fourth parameter.
Step 7>
Hit the Enter key to finish.
This is how to use the replace function in Google Sheets to slice a string.
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Download/Copy the Practice Workbook for Google Sheets.
How to Slice a String in Google Sheets – Office Chaser
Helpful Notes in Google Sheets on Slicing a String
- To obtain the substrings of any of the aforementioned functions, you can supply them direct values. Even though it makes no sense to send a direct String to obtain a substring, there may be a very unusual instance in which you want this functionality.
- Only two arguments can be passed to the RIGHT and LEFT functions.
- Three arguments can be passed to the MID function.
- The second parameter of the MID function is start position. If I supply 2, the function will begin at the second character in my string, but it won’t delete that letter; instead, it will remove everything that comes before the 2. In other words, if I pass 2, only one character will be eliminated; if I pass 1, nothing will be removed.
- The length to return is the third parameter of the MID method. If you have a little string, you can write 10-20 here or anything you believe is longer than your string length. Alternatively, you can use a LEN function here to return the LEN-Start position.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to slice a string in Google Sheets using REGEX functions?
In Google Sheets, text manipulation for numeric extraction is possible with REGEX methods. These routines let you use regular expressions to define patterns that allow you to extract specified numeric values from a string. Google Sheets’ REGEX functions offer a potent method for slicing and extracting specific data from strings.
What is the purpose of the Google Sheets LEFT function?
A substring from the left of a string that is supplied to the function is returned by the LEFT function. The cell reference and the length to be returned from the right side of the string are the two required arguments that we must pass.
What is the purpose of the Google Sheets RIGHT function?
A substring from the right of a string that is supplied in the function is returned by the RIGHT function. The cell reference and the length to be returned from the right side of the string are the two required arguments that we must pass.
What is the purpose of the Google Sheets MID function?
A portion of the string that we supplied in the MID function is returned. Three essential arguments must be passed: the cell reference, the start position from which the function is going to start delete the character on the left, and the length, which will be the String’s entire length upon return. The first argument is the cell reference. To use the MID function and take control of both sides of our string to extract a substring, we can omit the LEFT and RIGHT functions in this fashion.
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Conclusion
finalizing how to slice a string in Google Sheets. We spoke about what it means in Google Sheets to slice a string. Next, we learned why cutting a string in Google Sheets is necessary. Then, using examples for each function, we examined three functions that could be used to practically conduct string slicing. Then, we went on and looked at another function called REPLACE. There, we observed how it makes sense to take a portion of a string and use the REPLACE function to extract a substring from it. Thus, we saw four effective functions in all to address this issue. We now know several techniques for slicing a string in Google Sheets.
That concludes our discussion on how to slice a string in Google Sheets. Till then, be careful. I’ll see you soon with another useful tutorial. I sincerely appreciate your reading. Keep learning with Office Chaser.