Try the example, then check the result.
Download the fictional material and follow the steps below. The video uses English illustrative diagrams; it does not present a live app recording. Product controls may vary by version.
Check the answer before applying the method to your own data. How we review guides ↗
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The video uses English illustrative diagrams; it does not present a live app recording. English captions. Product menus may differ in your account.
Split a comma-separated name and email field into two Google Sheets columns. Use Data > Split text to columns, choose the correct separator, and verify every fictional contact.
Use the fictional practice data and answer check. Work in a copy.
Before you start
The companion video uses clearly labelled illustrative diagrams based on the downloadable example. Menu wording may vary with app version or account. Keep the source file available for comparison.
1. Inspect the exact delimiter
The practice CSV contains Avery Stone,avery@example.com, Blair Reed,blair@example.com, and Casey Chen,casey@example.com. Paste the Combined values into A2:A4 of a new Sheet. The comma is the boundary between fields. First make sure B2:B4 is empty because the split result will occupy the next column.
Check: A2:A4 contain pairs; Comma separates fields; Column B must be free.
2. Run Split text to columns
Select A2:A4. Open Data > Split text to columns. Sheets may detect the separator automatically, but for this exercise choose Comma from the separator menu so the instruction has a verifiable result. The names should remain in column A and the email addresses should appear in column B. Add clear headers afterward.
Check: Select A2:A4; Data > Split text to columns; Separator: Comma.
3. Verify all three contact pairs
Read each row across, not only each column down. Avery Stone must remain next to avery@example.com; Blair Reed next to blair@example.com; Casey Chen next to casey@example.com. If an address is missing or attached to a different name, undo and inspect the input before trying again. A successful split preserves the original row relationship.
Check: Avery → avery@example.com; Blair → blair@example.com; Casey → casey@example.com.
4. Fix an incorrect automatic separator
If Sheets leaves the entire text in one cell, it probably did not choose the comma you intended. Open the separator control and set Comma explicitly. If the source uses semicolons, tabs, or a custom character, select the matching separator instead; do not blindly follow a comma-based recipe. Check a row containing the most punctuation before processing a larger export.
Check: No split? Check separator; Match the source character; Recheck row pairs.
5. Avoid overwriting neighboring data
The split needs room in the cells to the right. If column B already contains notes, move those notes or insert a blank column before splitting, then compare the result to your source copy. Splitting the wrong selection can damage unrelated data. The safe practice is to work in a duplicate Sheet and verify the name and email in every fictional row.
Check: Empty output column; Work in a copy; Inspect each paired row.
Expected result
A2:A4 split into name and email columns: Avery Stone/avery@example.com, Blair Reed/blair@example.com, Casey Chen/casey@example.com. The separator is a comma.
Common mistakes
- Make the adjacent output column empty before splitting so an existing value is not overwritten.
- Select only the intended data cells, not a different column containing unrelated notes.
- If Detect automatically chooses the wrong separator, set Separator to Comma explicitly.
Official references and evidence
References checked 15 October 2026. The sample and answer check are original fictional material. Video panels are illustrative, not app screen recordings. The documented workflow is sourced to the product owner; this lesson has not been reproduced in a fresh signed-in session for this batch.
Practice downloads.
The exercise files contain invented information. Save a local copy before editing.