How can I Isolate headers? Thank you.

**noneothers** · 06-07-2007, 02:47 AM

Can someone please help me? I am trying to isolate the headers in a large file and place them in a separate column. Each of the headers are distinguished with four (4) equal signs. I believe I can use this pattern to locate and extract just the headers with some excel command unbeknownst to me.

I have attached a sample file to this post, along with a more detailed explanation inside. Your help is most appreciated! Thank you.

**Mikeopolo** · 06-07-2007, 03:17 AM

One way to display this is to use Data, Filter.

Select the column A
Choose Data, Filter, Filter.
Click the arrow which appears at the top of column A
Chose Custom.

Under 'Show rows where', select Contains
Type ==== in the box on the right
Click OK.

You should then see only the headers, and the 'title' row.
To return to the full list, click the arrow and choose All.

To copy the headers to another part of the spreadsheet, you need to use Advanced Filters

For this you need 3 range names defined:
The data (A5 to A8814 approx) - range name Database
A criteria range - say A1:A2 - range name Criteria
An output range - say M18 - range name Extract

Also, copy the label from A5 to A1.

Then in A2, type ="*====*"

Then choose Data, Filters, Advanced Filters
Then select Copy to another location
Check that the ranges are completed correctly,
Click OK

The headers will be copied to a separate list starting in cell M18

Regards
Hth

Regards
Mike

**noneothers** · 06-07-2007, 04:14 AM

Wow, thank you for the fast response! Your first method worked well for me. Theres just one problem thou, while I am able to isolate the headings, there are spaces infront of them. Is there anyway I can get rid of these? Or is there a way to isolate just the text itself?

**Mikeopolo** · 06-07-2007, 04:34 AM

One way is to create a formula in the column on the right, hide the first column, and filter the new column.

If the first row is a5, in b5 type =trim(a5), and double-click on the lower right-hand corner of the cell which will quickly copy it to the rest of the rows.

hth

**noneothers** · 06-07-2007, 05:01 AM

Trim works well, but when I try to cut & paste the new list into my database, it displays #Ref! instead (the formula im assuming). Am I doing something wrong?? Thanks again.

**Mikeopolo** · 06-07-2007, 02:42 PM

Try using Paste Special, Values.

But this may not give you what you want; you may have to use the Advanced Filter method in the second part of my answer.