# Split a column on delimiter

There are many reasons why you might want to separate a column on a delimiter. Two of the most common are:

* A single column contains multiple pieces of information that are more helpful in two separate columns. For example, a column `Name` that contains the first and last name separated by a space. 
* The data in a column is prepended with an unnecessary label that clutters your analysis. For example, a column of numeric product ids all start with the prefix "productID-". This prefix gets in the way of sorting the product id's in ascending order. 

#### Open the Split Text to Columns Taskpane 

<figure><img src="https://2294704369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MP_U5ZCmiamDOXEOOTC%2Fuploads%2FliJgkU2kfJnrmBMWbX3y%2FScreenshot%202023-11-28%20at%208.57.12%20PM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=3a48c86c-3787-481a-9617-dc76abb729cd" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Configure the taskpane

Select the `Dataframe` that contains the column you want to split.&#x20;

Select the `Column` that you want to split.&#x20;

Use the `Delimiters` section to build the delimiter that you want to separate on. If you select multiple delimiters, either of them will trigger a split.

The `Columns Preview` shows you the first three rows of the new columns you will create by splitting using the current configuration of the taskpane. &#x20;

![](https://2294704369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MP_U5ZCmiamDOXEOOTC%2Fuploads%2FXJFxmshdu1lK6txAeA9x%2FScreen%20Shot%202022-06-20%20at%201.09.33%20PM.png?alt=media\&token=010271b7-b163-4480-a58c-24f0ddb5fc50)

#### Split the column on the delimiter

Press the `Split on delimiter` button and notice the new columns in your sheet.&#x20;

![](https://2294704369-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MP_U5ZCmiamDOXEOOTC%2Fuploads%2FwIxIyXEJXM2UjIT5LgEi%2FScreen%20Shot%202022-06-20%20at%201.10.21%20PM.png?alt=media\&token=5276b0e5-785f-4a9e-a010-01a9576ee609)