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Help using LEN Function on 5,000 rows without writing formula on every row! (newb)

  1. #1
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    Help using LEN Function on 5,000 rows without writing formula on every row! (newb)

    Hi guys, I really hope somebody here can help me with the LEN function in excel. I have looked everywhere for the solution but I just can't figure out what it is I need to do.
    I am an excel novice so please explain in as basic and concise terms as possible.

    My problem is this...

    I have an excel sheet of about 5,000 rows in length and one column wide.
    Each cell A1 to A5000 contains a line of text.
    Approximately 4 of the cells have text which is too long for my purposes*.
    How can I enter a formula which gives me the number of characters in each cell/row?

    Eg:

    Row Column A
    ...1. Nobby2020example1/excelproblem
    ...2. Nobby2020example1/excelproblem is difficult to figure out
    ...3. Nobby2020example1/excelprob
    ...4. Nobby2020example1/excelproblem/frustrated user
    ...5. Please helpmefigure.this/out

    I can find the number of characters in a single cell by doing the forumla =len(a1) and it gives me the number of characters for cell A1.
    But I need the number of characters for each cell individually.

    What I presume I need is an automated way to put the formula in next to each cell so...

    Row Column A ...... Column B
    ...1.... =len(a1) ...... Nobby2020example1/excelproblem
    ...2.... =len(a2) ...... Nobby2020example1/excelproblem is difficult to figure out
    ...3.... =len(a3) ...... Nobby2020example1/excelprob
    ...4.... =len(a4) ...... Nobby2020example1/excelproblem/frustrated user
    ...5.... =len(a5) ...... Please helpmefigure.this/out

    But without having to write the formula in every cell.

    Hope you can help, I presume the answer is obvious really.

    Thanks

  2. #2
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    Re: Help using LEN Function on 5,000 rows without writing formula on every row! (newb

    You can catch right, down corner of cell and pull down (formula will appear automatically)
    or click twice when you see small black cross in right down corner of cell
    Regards

    tom1977

    If You are satisfied with my solution click the small star icon on the left to say thanks.

  3. #3
    Forum Expert bebo021999's Avatar
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    Re: Help using LEN Function on 5,000 rows without writing formula on every row! (newb

    You can type in B1:
    =LEN(A1)
    Then press Ctrl-C (copy), choose B2:B5000, Ctrl-V (paste)
    Quang PT

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    Re: Help using LEN Function on 5,000 rows without writing formula on every row! (newb

    Hi

    like you started ... in B1 write =len(a1) and hit Enter key ... go back to cell B1 and double click on right-bottom corner and formula will go down to the last row ...

    len.jpg

    Hope this help ... cheers, Marko

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    Re: Help using LEN Function on 5,000 rows without writing formula on every row! (newb

    Quote Originally Posted by DiCaver View Post
    Hi

    like you started ... in B1 write =len(a1) and hit Enter key ... go back to cell B1 and double click on right-bottom corner and formula will go down to the last row ...

    Attachment 138456

    Hope this help ... cheers, Marko

    Thank you. This worked perfectly and so simple.

    Is it possible to re-order the results by highest length now?

  6. #6
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    Re: Help using LEN Function on 5,000 rows without writing formula on every row! (newb

    Oh- and thanks to the other people too.

    I found a way to sort the data into order. I would describe it here but now I can't remember what I did.

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