Can you combine the Upper and Left formulas?

[Samantha S]

Good Morning Everyone!

I'm starting to think I use Excel in a very weird way, compared to the experts in the interwebs! I have another random question for you Excel Ninjas.

Is there a way to combine the Excel Formulas =Left(text,[num_chars]) and =Upper(text) in one cell?

One of the software programs I work in requires us to input the data as Upper case & shorten certain values. For example Philadelphia is too long. Is there anyway to get Excel to to turn Philadelphia to PHILA easily?

Normally, I just do an =Upper in one cell and =Left(text,[num_chars]) in a seperate cell. Was curious if I'm overlooking a way to make Excel do that all in one...

If not, I'll keep doing my two 'formulas'

 

[BBD]

Hi Samantha S,

Thats a quick one.

You will have to use something like this =left(upper(text),[num_chars])
So if Philadelphia is in A1. Your B2 should be =left(upper(A1),5). This will give you PHILA.

Cheers,
BD

 

[Samantha S]

Thank you so much BD! As minor a question as this probably was, I appreciate the keystrokes you are saving me! This is something I have to do on a regular basis, so I appreciate it greatly!! Have a happy holiday season! Samantha

 

[BBD]

Glad to help Samantha

Thanks! Happy Holidays !!

 

[ThrottleWorks]

Hi Samantha, if I can suggest another solution.

You can create a database of names for full names & abbreviated names in a separate sheet & take a vlookup from there.

This will give you more flexibilty to define the abbreviated versions, for example , the formula you are using, if you have name such as "Utah" the result will be UTAH, or if you have "State of Utah" it will be "STATE " (with space).

Have a nice holiday.