Assist Pro+ / Data Cleaning

Extract Before...

Extract everything before specified text into a new column.

Where to find it

Follow the ribbon path.

Assist Pro + → Data Cleaning → Text → Extract Before...

Part of Assist Pro+. Eligible tools can also be selected through Assist Pro’s 30-tool Vault allowance. Check the Vault for availability.

Open the tool and follow its prompts. Use a copy of your workbook when trying an action for the first time, then check the result.

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Practical guidance

Use this tool in your workflow.

How to use

Click within the target data column, row or table, with your headers and data aligned. On Assist Pro + › Data Cleaning › Text, choose Extract Before... to extract everything before specified text into a new column. Spot-check names, references and identifiers that might be case-sensitive.

Best use case

Capturing the code before a known separator in source data.

Everyday Excel

Avoids editing inconsistent labels or text values individually when you need to extract everything before specified text into a new column.

Accounting and audit

Standardises GL narratives, account descriptions and document references by helping extract everything before specified text into a new column.