# How to Separate the First and Last Names in Microsoft Excel

> To separate the first and last names in Microsoft Excel, select the name column, click 'Data' in the top menu bar, and choose 'Split Text to Columns'. Next, specify your delimiter, check the preview results, and tap 'Apply' to save the changes and split the names into two columns.

Canonical: https://livedemo.ai/tutorials/how-to-separate-the-first-and-last-names-in-microsoft-excel/
Apps: Microsoft, Excel
Updated: 2026-10-05
Interactive demo: https://story-api.livedemo.ai/workspaces/62255d3d3304f17b8f5e2d03/stories/692a4da5ab56e05a00ff9539/preview?step=1

## Steps

1. Inside your Microsoft Excel worksheet, find and select the entire column containing the list of names you wish to split.
2. After that, head over to the top menu bar and click 'Data'.
3. Choose 'Split Text to Columns' from the given options.
4. Following that, specify the delimiter you use between the first and last names.
5. Check the results from the provided preview and then tap 'Apply' to save the changes.
6. After completing these steps, the first and last names from the selected list will be separated into two columns.