The best thing about Excel is that you can do the same thing in several ways. Our yesterdays problem – Extracting file name from full path is no different. There are many different ways to do it, apart from writing a formula. Learn these techniques to be a data extraction ninja.
1. Using Find Replace
Suggested by Iain in the comments yesterday, I love this technique for its simplicity and awesomeness.
- Select all the file paths
- Press CTRL+H
- Type *\ in find field
- Leave the replace field empty.
- Click on Replace all.
- Done!
It is that simple. Do not believe me? See this demo.
Thanks Iain for teaching us this trick.
2. Using Text to columns utility
Buried inside heap of features in Excel is this beautiful Text to columns utility, that can take any text and convert it in to many columns based on the delimiter you specify. [more uses of text to columns]
This is how we can use it:
- Select all the file path cells
- Go to Data > Text to columns
- Chose “Delimited” in step 1 and click next.
- Specify delimiter as \
- Click Finish
- You will get all folders in to separate cells and file name in last cell.
- Now use a formula like =INDEX($C3:$O3,COUNTA($C3:$O3)) to extract the last cell’s value ie file name
- Done!
3. Using UDFs
While our formula method tends to be very long or very complicated, we can use 1-2 line VBA to get the file name from a full path. There are many ways to skin this cat in VBA, but 2 easiest methods are,
For both methods below, you first need to insert a new module and add the code in that.
Using InStrRev
As suggested by Daniel Ferry in the comments.
Public Function ParseFile(sPath As String) As Variant
ParseFile = Array(Mid$(sPath, 1 + InStrRev(sPath, “\”)), Mid$(sPath, 1 + InStrRev(sPath, “.”)))
End Function
Note: this UDF returns an array for file name & extension. So you need to enter it in 2 cells together.
The InStrRev() built in function searches for \ in the sPath from end and returns the first occurrence’s position.
Using split
As suggested by PPH in comments,
Function ExtractFileName(filepath) As String
Dim x As Variant
x = Split(filepath, Application.PathSeparator)
ExtractFileName = x(UBound(x))
End Function
What is your favorite method?
For most of my data cleaning needs, I use a mix of text to columns, find-replace or VBA. In rare cases, I rely on a formula. This is because data cleaning or extraction is usually one time step and figuring out a complex formula is not good idea in such cases.
What about you? How do you go about extracting filenames, dates, numbers etc. buried in text? What method do you use often? Please share with us in comments.
11 Responses to “Fix Incorrect Percentages with this Paste-Special Trick”
I've just taught yesterday to a colleague of mine how to convert amounts in local currency into another by pasting special the ROE.
great thing to know !!!
Chandoo - this is such a great trick and helps save time. If you don't use this shortcut, you have to take can create a formula where =(ref cell /100), copy that all the way down, covert it to a percentage and then copy/paste values to the original column. This does it all much faster. Nice job!
I was just asking peers yesterday if anyone know if an easy way to do this, I've been editing each cell and adding a % manually vs setting the cell to Percentage for months and just finally reached my wits end. What perfect timing! Thanks, great tip!
If it's just appearance you care about, another alternative is to use this custom number format:
0"%"
By adding the percent sign in quotes, it gets treated as text and won't do what you warned about here: "You can not just format the cells to % format either, excel shows 23 as 2300% then."
Dear Jon S. You are the reason I love the internet. 3 year old comments making my life easier.
Thank you.
Here is a quicker protocol.
Enter 10000% into the extra cell, copy this cell, select the range you need to convert to percentages, and use paste special > divide. Since the Paste > All option is selected, it not only divides by 10000% (i.e. 100), it also applies the % format to the cells being pasted on.
@Martin: That is another very good use of Divide / Multiply operations.
@Tony, @Jody: Thank you 🙂
@Jon S: Good one...
@Jon... now why didnt I think of that.. Excellent
Thank You so much. it is really helped me.
Big help...Thanks
Thanks. That really saved me a lot of time!
Is Show Formulas is turned on in the Formula Ribbon, it will stay in decimal form until that is turned off. Drove me batty for an hour until I just figured it out.