> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.databar.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Split text to columns

> Split combined values into separate columns by a delimiter.

Split Text takes a single column containing combined values and separates it into multiple columns based on a delimiter you choose. This is useful when imported data packs multiple fields into one cell.

<Frame>
  <video muted loop playsInline controls preload="metadata">
    <source src="https://mintcdn.com/databar/FvRK3AtZWjIE7Box/images/product-guide/split-text.mp4?fit=max&auto=format&n=FvRK3AtZWjIE7Box&q=85&s=ced04f19e5dda327d239976f7120388a" type="video/mp4" data-path="images/product-guide/split-text.mp4" />
  </video>
</Frame>

<Info>
  Split Text is a **transformation**. It does **not** consume any credits.
</Info>

## How to use

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add a Split Text transformation">
    Open your table, add a new transformation column, and select **Split Text to Columns**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the source column">
    Choose the column that contains the combined values you want to split.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a delimiter">
    Pick the character that separates the values. The delimiter field is pre-filled with `" "` (space) by default. Options include:

    * Space (`" "`)
    * Dash (`-`)
    * Comma (`,`)
    * Any custom character

    <Info>
      To use a space as the delimiter, enter it with quotes: `" "`. This is already the default value when you open the configuration.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Specify the number of parts">
    Set how many output columns you want. Excess parts beyond the limit stay in the last column. The split produces a JSON value, which you can then work with further using the [JSON Expander](/product-guide/json-expander) or [JQ formulas](/product-guide/jq-formulas).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Example

A column containing `"John Doe, CEO"` split by comma into 2 parts produces:

| Part 1   | Part 2 |
| -------- | ------ |
| John Doe | CEO    |

## Common delimiter scenarios

| Original value        | Delimiter | Result columns              |
| --------------------- | --------- | --------------------------- |
| `Jane Smith`          | Space     | `Jane` / `Smith`            |
| `2024-01-15`          | Dash      | `2024` / `01` / `15`        |
| `New York, NY, 10001` | Comma     | `New York` / `NY` / `10001` |
| `first@example.com`   | `@`       | `first` / `example.com`     |

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Tables overview" href="/product-guide/tables-overview">
    Learn how tables work in Databar.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Merge columns" href="/product-guide/merge-columns">
    Combine multiple columns back into one.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>