Excel is a powerful spreadsheet software that offers a wide range of features and functions to manipulate and analyze data. One common task that users often encounter is removing the first few characters or numbers from a cell or a range of cells. In this article, we will focus on how to remove the first 2 numbers in Excel using various methods.
Understanding the Problem
Before we dive into the solutions, let’s understand the problem. Suppose you have a list of numbers or codes in a column, and you want to remove the first 2 digits from each cell. For example, you have the following numbers:
| Original Number | Desired Output |
|---|---|
| 123456 | 3456 |
| 987654 | 7654 |
| 111222 | 1222 |
As you can see, the first 2 digits are removed from each number, leaving the remaining digits intact.
Method 1: Using the RIGHT Function
One way to remove the first 2 numbers in Excel is by using the RIGHT function. The RIGHT function returns the specified number of characters from the right side of a text string.
Syntax
The syntax for the RIGHT function is:
RIGHT(text, [num_chars])
Where:
- text is the text string from which you want to extract characters.
- [num_chars] is the number of characters you want to extract from the right side of the text string.
Example
Suppose you have the numbers in column A, and you want to remove the first 2 digits from each number. You can use the following formula:
=RIGHT(A1, LEN(A1)-2)
Assuming the number is in cell A1, this formula returns the remaining digits after removing the first 2 digits.
How it Works
Here’s how the formula works:
- LEN(A1) returns the length of the text string in cell A1.
- LEN(A1)-2 subtracts 2 from the length, which gives the number of characters to extract from the right side.
- RIGHT(A1, LEN(A1)-2) extracts the specified number of characters from the right side of the text string.
Method 2: Using the MID Function
Another way to remove the first 2 numbers in Excel is by using the MID function. The MID function returns a specified number of characters from a text string, starting from a specified position.
Syntax
The syntax for the MID function is:
MID(text, start_num, num_chars)
Where:
- text is the text string from which you want to extract characters.
- start_num is the position from which you want to start extracting characters.
- num_chars is the number of characters you want to extract.
Example
Suppose you have the numbers in column A, and you want to remove the first 2 digits from each number. You can use the following formula:
=MID(A1, 3, LEN(A1)-2)
Assuming the number is in cell A1, this formula returns the remaining digits after removing the first 2 digits.
How it Works
Here’s how the formula works:
- LEN(A1)-2 returns the number of characters to extract from the text string.
- MID(A1, 3, LEN(A1)-2) extracts the specified number of characters from the text string, starting from the 3rd position.
Method 3: Using VBA Macro
If you prefer to use VBA macros, you can create a custom function to remove the first 2 numbers from a range of cells.
Example Code
Here’s an example VBA code that creates a custom function called “RemoveFirst2Digits”:
vb
Function RemoveFirst2Digits(cell As Range) As String
RemoveFirst2Digits = Right(cell.Value, Len(cell.Value) - 2)
End Function
To use this function, follow these steps:
- Open the Visual Basic Editor by pressing Alt + F11 or by navigating to Developer > Visual Basic in the ribbon.
- In the Visual Basic Editor, click Insert > Module to insert a new module.
- Paste the code into the module.
- Save the workbook as a macro-enabled file (.xlsm).
- Go back to the worksheet and select the cell where you want to apply the function.
- Type “=RemoveFirst2Digits(A1)” and press Enter, assuming the number is in cell A1.
Method 4: Using Power Query
If you have Excel 2010 or later, you can use Power Query to remove the first 2 numbers from a range of cells.
Example Steps
Here’s an example of how to use Power Query to remove the first 2 digits:
- Select the range of cells that contains the numbers.
- Go to the Data tab in the ribbon and click From Table/Range.
- In the Power Query Editor, click Add Column > Custom Column.
- In the Custom Column formula, type “=Right([Column1], Len([Column1])-2)” and click OK.
- Click Close & Load to load the data back into the worksheet.
Conclusion
Removing the first 2 numbers in Excel can be achieved using various methods, including the RIGHT function, MID function, VBA macro, and Power Query. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of method depends on your specific needs and preferences. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily remove the first 2 digits from a range of cells in Excel.
What is the purpose of removing the first 2 numbers in Excel?
Removing the first 2 numbers in Excel can be useful in various scenarios, such as when working with phone numbers, IDs, or codes. For instance, if you have a list of phone numbers with area codes that you want to remove, deleting the first 2 numbers can help you achieve this. Similarly, if you have IDs with prefixes that you want to eliminate, removing the first 2 numbers can be a quick solution.
Additionally, removing the first 2 numbers can also be helpful when cleaning and formatting data. By removing unnecessary characters, you can make your data more readable and easier to work with. This can be particularly useful when working with large datasets or when preparing data for analysis or reporting.
How do I remove the first 2 numbers in Excel using formulas?
To remove the first 2 numbers in Excel using formulas, you can use the RIGHT function in combination with the LEN function. The RIGHT function returns a specified number of characters from the end of a text string, while the LEN function returns the length of a text string. By using these functions together, you can remove the first 2 numbers from a text string.
The formula to remove the first 2 numbers would be: =RIGHT(A1, LEN(A1)-2), where A1 is the cell containing the text string. This formula works by returning all characters in the text string except for the first 2. You can then copy and paste this formula into other cells to apply it to an entire range of data.
Can I remove the first 2 numbers in Excel without using formulas?
Yes, you can remove the first 2 numbers in Excel without using formulas. One way to do this is by using the Flash Fill feature in Excel. Flash Fill allows you to automatically fill a range of cells with a specific pattern or format. To use Flash Fill, select the range of cells containing the text strings, go to the “Data” tab, and click on “Flash Fill”. Then, enter the desired format or pattern, and Excel will automatically fill the range with the new format.
Another way to remove the first 2 numbers without using formulas is by using the Text to Columns feature. This feature allows you to split a text string into separate columns based on a specified delimiter. By using the Text to Columns feature, you can split the text string into two columns, with the first column containing the first 2 numbers and the second column containing the remaining characters. You can then delete the first column to remove the first 2 numbers.
How do I remove the first 2 numbers from a range of cells in Excel?
To remove the first 2 numbers from a range of cells in Excel, you can use the formula method or the Flash Fill method. If using formulas, simply enter the formula in the first cell of the range, and then copy and paste it into the remaining cells. If using Flash Fill, select the entire range of cells, go to the “Data” tab, and click on “Flash Fill”. Then, enter the desired format or pattern, and Excel will automatically fill the range with the new format.
Alternatively, you can also use the Text to Columns feature to remove the first 2 numbers from a range of cells. Select the entire range of cells, go to the “Data” tab, and click on “Text to Columns”. Then, specify the delimiter and the format, and Excel will automatically split the text strings into separate columns. You can then delete the first column to remove the first 2 numbers.
Can I remove the first 2 numbers from a specific position in a text string in Excel?
Yes, you can remove the first 2 numbers from a specific position in a text string in Excel. To do this, you can use the MID function in combination with the LEN function. The MID function returns a specified number of characters from a text string, starting from a specified position. By using these functions together, you can remove the first 2 numbers from a specific position in a text string.
The formula to remove the first 2 numbers from a specific position would be: =MID(A1, 3, LEN(A1)-2), where A1 is the cell containing the text string. This formula works by returning all characters in the text string, starting from the third character, and excluding the first 2 numbers. You can then copy and paste this formula into other cells to apply it to an entire range of data.
How do I remove the first 2 numbers and replace them with a specific character in Excel?
To remove the first 2 numbers and replace them with a specific character in Excel, you can use the REPLACE function. The REPLACE function replaces a specified number of characters in a text string with a new character. By using this function, you can remove the first 2 numbers and replace them with a specific character.
The formula to remove the first 2 numbers and replace them with a specific character would be: =REPLACE(A1, 1, 2, “X”), where A1 is the cell containing the text string, and “X” is the character you want to replace the first 2 numbers with. This formula works by replacing the first 2 characters in the text string with the specified character. You can then copy and paste this formula into other cells to apply it to an entire range of data.
Can I remove the first 2 numbers from a text string in Excel using VBA?
Yes, you can remove the first 2 numbers from a text string in Excel using VBA. VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) is a programming language used to create macros in Excel. By using VBA, you can create a custom macro that removes the first 2 numbers from a text string.
To create a VBA macro to remove the first 2 numbers, open the Visual Basic Editor in Excel, and create a new module. Then, enter the following code: Sub RemoveFirstTwoNumbers() Range(“A1”).Value = Right(Range(“A1”).Value, Len(Range(“A1”).Value) – 2) End Sub. This macro uses the RIGHT function to remove the first 2 numbers from the text string in cell A1. You can then run the macro to apply it to the entire range of data.