How to remove characters in a cell

[hdastoor]

I am extracting data entitled " Days of Admission " into a column
The data is being extracted as a combination of numbers and characters such as " 12 days"
I tried to remove the letters (days) , but it requires me to create a new column and use the formula =LEFT(cell,LEN(cell)-n)
This means i have to create an extra column

My question is How can i create a formula to automatically remove "days" in the same column that the data was extracted into, without need to create a second column

thanks

[Paul]

If cell A1 has your value, e.g. "12 days", then in B1 you could use:

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[JBeaucaire]

You can't use a formula. Formulas, by definition, are doing calculations on other cells in a new cell for a new result. So formulas mean more columns.

Why is this a problem?

1) Data in first column.
2) Formula that gives you the result you want in a second column.

Now you can:
1) Hide the first column so you still only see one column.
2) Copy the second column and PASTE > VALUES back over the first column to change the first column, then delete the second column.