I need help with this formula, i've spend WAY too much time on it
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
Answers
-
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.
Help Article Resources
Categories
- All Categories
- 14 Welcome to the Community
- Customer Resources
- 64.9K Get Help
- 439 Global Discussions
- 138 Industry Talk
- 471 Announcements
- 4.9K Ideas & Feature Requests
- 129 Brandfolder
- 148 Just for fun
- 67 Community Job Board
- 486 Show & Tell
- 33 Member Spotlight
- 2 SmartStories
- 300 Events
- 36 Webinars
- 7.3K Forum Archives
Check out the Formula Handbook template!