How to Convert Names to Make a Spreadsheet

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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Spreadsheets are a great way to keep track of and sort lists. If you have a list of names that you need to manage, a spreadsheet can be a useful tool. However, if the names are listed in another location, such as a word processing program or email, getting them into a spreadsheet can be confusing. This article will explain how to convert names to make a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Works spreadsheets.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

List of names Spreadsheet program

How to Convert Names to Make a Spreadsheet in MIcrosoft Excel

Step 1

Select and copy the entire list of names that you want to put into the spreadsheet. To do this, highlight all of the names at the same time, right-click once in the selection and select "Copy."
Step 2

Paste the list into a blank Microsoft Excel document. Highlight the cell where you want the list to begin and click once on the "Paste" (clipboard) icon, or right-click once in the cell and select "Paste." Both the last and first names will appear in the same field.
Step 3

Highlight all of the cells in the spreadsheet containing the names. You can also highlight the entire column containing the names.
Step 4

Click once on the "Data" menu and select "Text to Columns."
Step 5

Select "Delimited" on Step 1 of the "Convert Text to Columns Wizard."
Step 6

Select "Comma" from the "Delimiters" section on Step 2 of the "Convert Text to Columns Wizard." Make certain all other selections are unchecked. If the names are separated by a space, not a comma, then select "Space."
Step 7

Select "General" or "Text" from the "Column data format" section on Step 3 of the "Convert Text to Columns Wizard."
Step 8

Click once on the "Finish" button. The names will be in two separate columns, and there will be no more commas. You can add column headers and sort your data.

How to Convert Names to Make a Spreadsheet in MIcrosoft Works

Step 1

Select and copy the entire list of names that you want to put into the spreadsheet. If the list is already in a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word or Microsoft Works word processor, you can skip this step.
Step 2

Paste the list into a word processing program.
Step 3

Press the "Tab" key once between the information you want to separate into columns. For example, if the names are listed last name, comma, first name, place the cursor before the first letter of the first name, and press the "Tab" key one time. Repeat this process for each name on the list. If you have more than the first and last names in your list, such as a middle name or initial, you'll need to use a "Tab" between each piece of data that you want to put into a separate column.
Step 4

Select and copy the entire list of names that you want to put into the spreadsheet.
Step 5

Paste the list into a blank Microsoft Works spreadsheet. The last and first names will appear in two different fields.
Step 6

Click once on the "Edit" menu and select "Replace."
Step 7

Put a comma in the "Find what" field on the "Replace" tab of the "Find and Replace" window. Leave the "Replace with" field blank.
Step 8

Click once on the "Replace All" button. This will eliminate the commas in the spreadsheet. You can now add headers and sort your data.