How to Use and Change Delimiters in Google Sheets
Learn how to use and change delimiters in Google Sheets using the import dialog, the SPLIT function, and the built-in Split text to columns feature. Includes tips for handling unusual separators.
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Text Processing Guides & How-Tos — Page 2
Tips, guides, and ideas around text tools and productivity.
Practical guides on working with text and data. Every article pairs with a free tool you can open in the next tab and use straight away.
What the blog covers
Four topics, each tied to a tool
- Delimiters and file formats — what actually separates your data, and why CSV breaks when a value contains a comma. Pairs with the delimiter converter.
- Cleaning messy lists — deduplicating, sorting and trimming exports before they reach a database. Pairs with list clean-up.
- Counting text properly — why two programs disagree about the same paragraph, and which limit you are really up against. Pairs with the text counters.
- Typing faster — what WPM measures, and what actually moves the number. Pairs with the typing test.
Where to start
| If you are… | Read about | Then try |
|---|---|---|
| Fighting a broken CSV | Delimiters and quoting | Delimiter converter |
| Cleaning an export | Dedupe and sort order | List clean-up |
| Hitting a length limit | What counts as a word | Text counters |
| Trying to type faster | What WPM really measures | Typing test |
How to Use a Line Break or Enter as a Delimiter in Excel
Learn how to use a line break as a delimiter in Excel using CHAR(10), Text to Columns, SUBSTITUTE formulas, and Find and Replace. Includes a comparison table and tips to avoid common mistakes.
How to Handle Delimiter Not Found Errors in Excel Formulas
Getting a #VALUE! error from TEXTBEFORE in Excel? Learn how to use IFERROR as a formula fix when a delimiter isn't found, plus a cleaner built-in option for Excel 365 users.
Excel Delimiter Formulas: TEXTJOIN, TEXTBEFORE, TEXTAFTER
TEXTJOIN, TEXTBEFORE, and TEXTAFTER are Excel formulas built around delimiters. Learn how each one works, when to use them, and how to combine them for fast, reliable text manipulation.
How to Change the Default List Separator in Windows
Excel uses Windows' list separator setting to decide how CSV files are delimited. Learn how to change it, why it matters, and how to fix common import and export headaches.
How to Save Excel Files as CSV with a Custom Delimiter
Excel's default CSV export uses commas, but sometimes you need a pipe, semicolon, or another delimiter. Here's how to get exactly what you need without pulling your hair out.
How to Convert a Text File to Excel Using Delimiters
Got a messy TXT file you need in Excel? Learn how to use delimiters and the Excel import wizard to split your data into clean, organized columns in just a few steps.
How to Open CSV Files with a Specific Delimiter in Excel
Excel often imports CSV data into a single column when it misses the delimiter. Learn how to use the Text Import Wizard and Power Query to import files with any custom delimiter correctly.
How to Concatenate Cells with a Custom Delimiter in Excel
Learn how to concatenate cells in Excel using TEXTJOIN with a custom delimiter. Covers syntax, common examples, older Excel workarounds, and what to do with the output.
How to Split Text in Excel Without Using a Delimiter
No delimiter in your Excel data? No problem. Learn how to use the LEFT, MID, and RIGHT formulas to split fixed-width text strings without a separator character.
How to Split Cells and Columns by Delimiter in Excel
Learn how to split cells and columns by delimiter in Excel using the Text to Columns wizard and TEXTSPLIT formula. Includes tips for custom delimiters and handling messy data.
Comma vs Pipe vs Semicolon: Which Delimiter Is Best?
Comma, pipe, or semicolon? Picking the wrong delimiter quietly breaks your data. This guide compares all three on real-world data integrity so you can make the right call before you export.
The History of the Delimiter: Why We Separate Data
The humble delimiter has a surprisingly deep history. From punch cards to ASCII control characters to modern CSV files, discover why we use special characters to separate data.
The Best Delimiter for Large Data Sets: Pipe vs Comma
Commas are everywhere in real-world text, which makes them risky for large datasets. Learn why the pipe delimiter is often the better choice for protecting data integrity at scale.
How to Identify or Check the Delimiter of any Unknown Text File
Not sure what's separating the values in your text file? Learn how to quickly identify any delimiter using a plain text editor, spreadsheet tools, and online converters.
Why Do We Use Delimiters in Data Processing and Storage?
Delimiters are the characters that separate data values in files and databases. Learn why delimiter purpose matters in data processing and storage, and how to choose the right one.
Field vs Row Delimiters: The Building Blocks of Data
Field delimiters split values within a row. Row delimiters split records from each other. Understanding how both work is the key to reading, writing, and debugging any CSV or structured data file.
Types of Delimiters: Comma, Pipe, Tab and Space Explained
Comma, pipe, tab, or space? Learn what each delimiter type is, when to use it, and how to avoid the data-breaking mistakes that come from picking the wrong one.
What is a Delimiter? The Ultimate Guide to Data Separators
A delimiter is a character that separates data values so software knows where one field ends and the next begins. Learn what they are, which to use, and how to avoid common mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do you publish new guides?
New guides are released on a rolling schedule. There are 39 published so far, with more added regularly.
Can I suggest a topic?
Yes. Use the feedback button in the sidebar; reader questions are where most of these guides come from.
Do the guides pair with tools?
Every article links to the free tool that does the job it describes, so you can try it in the next tab without signing up.