How To Truncate Text In Microsoft Excel

In this tutorial we will learn how to truncate text in Microsoft Excel. Truncating text in Microsoft Excel refers to the process of limiting the number of characters displayed from a longer text string. This is useful when you want to display only a portion of the text, or when you have limited space to display the full text and want to avoid text overflow. In Excel, you can truncate text using the LEFT, RIGHT, and MID functions.

Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet software developed by Microsoft Corporation. It is widely used for data analysis, organization, and manipulation of various types of data. Excel features a user-friendly interface, formula-based calculation, charting and graphing tools, and the ability to create macros for automating repetitive tasks. It supports various file formats including .xlsx, .xls, and .csv and can be used on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and mobile devices. With its powerful tools and versatility, Excel is a crucial tool for individuals, businesses, and organizations to manage, analyze, and visualize their data.

Method 1 : Truncate Text using LEFT function

Step 1 – Select a blank cell

Select the targeted cell where you want to truncate the text.

Step 2 – Place an equals sign

Place an equals sign (=) in the targeted cell.

Step 3 – Use the LEFT function

Enter the LEFT function next to the equals sign (=).The LEFT function returns the first “n” characters from the beginning of the text string.

LEFT(B2,n)

Where “n” is the number of characters you want to truncate and B2 is the cell address containing the text.

Step 4 – Press the Enter key

Press the Enter key to truncate the text.

Step 5 – Apply the LEFT function to each row

Use the “handle select” and “drag and drop” method to apply the LEFT function on each row.

Method 2: Truncate text using MID function

Step 1 – Select a blank cell

Select the targeted cell where you want to truncate the text.

Step 2 – Place an equals sign

Place an equals sign (=) in the targeted cell.

Step 3 – Use the MID function

Enter the MID function next to the equals sign (=).The MID function returns the first “n” characters from the beginning of the text string.

MID(B2,n)

Where “n” is the number of characters you want to truncate and B2 is the cell address containing the text.

Step 4 – Press the Enter key

Press the Enter key to truncate the text.

Step 5 – Apply the MID function to all rows

Use the “handle select” and “drag and drop” method to apply the MID function on each cell.

Method 3: Truncate text using RIGHT function

Step 1 – Select a blank cell

Select the targeted cell where you want to truncate the text.

Step 2 – Place an equals sign

Place an equals sign (=) in the targeted cell.

Step 3 – Use the Right function

Enter the Right function next to the equals sign (=).The RIGHT function returns the first “n” characters from the beginning of the text string.

RIGHT(B2,n)