Hands-on: split the address

Step 1 · Click cell E2

You are about to write a formula that spills across multiple cells. The formula goes in the leftmost cell of the spill range.

Step 2 · Write =SPLIT(D2, ",")

In cell E2, type:

=SPLIT(D2, ",")

Press Enter. The formula spills:

• E2: 1247 MLK Jr Dr SW
• F2: Atlanta
• G2: GA 30310

Step 3 · Split G2 further

You have three cells, but you need four. State and ZIP are still joined in G2. Click cell H2 and type:

=SPLIT(G2, " ")

This splits on the space character. Now H2 holds GA and I2 holds 30310.

Step 4 · Stack the columns the way you want

Right now the four pieces sit in E, F, H, I. If you want them in E, F, G, H (clean and contiguous), the simplest move is:

1. Select E2:I2.
2. Copy.
3. Paste Values into a fresh range, say K2:N2 (skipping the empty G2).
4. Delete the original split formulas.
5. Drag K–N into place as your final Street / City / State / ZIP columns.

The smarter way: nest the second SPLIT inside the first using a custom delimiter. We get to that pattern in lesson 3.4.