Struggling with removing the last three digits from your data in Excel can be a common task when managing large datasets or preparing reports. Excel provides several methods to manipulate text strings, which can be employed to truncate numbers effectively.
In this guide, we'll cover the steps to remove the last three numbers from cells in Excel and introduce Sourcetable, a tool that streamlines this process, making it more user-friendly than the traditional Excel functions.
To delete the last three digits from a cell in Excel, use the formula =LEFT(string, LEN(string) - 3)
. Replace string
with the cell reference containing the number. This formula extracts all characters except the last three.
For a non-formula approach, utilize Excel Flash Fill. Type the desired result in the cell next to the original data. Select the cell, go to the Data tab, and click on Flash Fill. Excel will replicate the pattern for the adjacent cells.
Advanced users can create a VBA function. Press ALT + F11, insert a module, and add the custom code for RemoveFirstChars
. Use this function in a cell as =RemoveFirstChars(string, 3)
to remove the last three characters.
If you have Excel Ultimate Suite, use its features to remove characters without formulas. Follow the add-in's guidelines to quickly remove the last three digits from selected cells.
Truncating product codes to categorize items by their family group
Shortening ZIP+4 codes to standard 5-digit ZIP codes for simpler mailing address analysis
Removing extension digits from phone numbers to standardize them for a contact list
Cleaning up employee ID numbers to match a legacy system format
Stripping year-end digits from fiscal year reports to generalize annual data
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With Sourcetable, engage in an intuitive, chat-based interface to effortlessly manage data. This innovative feature contrasts with Excel's traditional, manual formula input, marking a leap in user interaction.
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