I need help with this formula, i've spend WAY too much time on it

Roxana_u

I am trying to extract names from a contact list, some have periods, some just one name some have multiple names. I'm trying to extract them so it says F. Jones or F.B. Jones or B G Jones

when i use the formula i have, it works for names with a period, but the other ones it gives the entire first name.. help!

the blank columns i would like to say F. Jones or F.B Jones, or F L Jones

Mike TV

@Roxana_u

I believe there are way too many ways someone could write or abbreviate their name that you're going to have a very hard time writing a formula to clean it up and display it in a single rigid way. When you run into something like this that requires such a complex formula, it's best to take a step back and see if there's a way to accomplish what is needed in another way.

For example if someone is filling out a form and these are the results you're left with for names, maybe it would be best to provide a drop-down box where they select their name from a list so that you're always gathering the name in the end format you need.

If you still require this formula, I wish you the best of luck. I'm not sure how you'd anticipate for all the ways someone could write it.