Insert parenthesis

I have a column that contains a couple thousand rows of names, e.g. John Doe.
Can some one please help me create a formula to place parenthesis around the names so that the text data appears like this: (John Doe)?
Thanks in advance!

You can try with this formula:
="(" & <data cell> & ")"
for example:
="(" & A1 & ")"

Regards,
Antonio

Thank you for the response.
I am having difficulty. I don't seem to grasp how to apply this formula to all of the cells in the field at the same time.
I am trying "find & replace" - but maybe using the wrong proceedure...

You would insert a new column in to store the new data.

for example: Column A has your names (A1 = John Doe)
Insert a new column to the left of it (your names become column B)

Type in the formula then in cell A1 to be:

="(" & B1 & ")"

You can then use the autofill (bottom right corner of the formula cell) - double click on that to fill the following rows.

Does that help?

Hi, If you place the code below in a MT Macro or Command Button, when you run it a Dialog box will appear. Enter the first cell of the column for bracketing.
click "OK" . All the names in the column should now have brackets.

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Regard Mick

I inserted the new column.
When you say, "Type in the formula then in cell A1 to be:"
I am still not understanding where I enter the formula. If I try to enter it into the cell or in the formula bar - my actions overwrite the data in A1 (eg John Doe).
Thank you for your help and patience - I am obviously new to this - sorry.

See attached file.. I hope it can help you.

Regards,
Antonio

Originally Posted by antoka05

See attached file.. I hope it can help you.

Regards,
Antonio

Strange.... I installed the latest JRE and made sure that it was recognized. Changed security settings to allow macros, but when I click the button you made - the macro is not applied.

Any ideas?

Thank you ALL for being so thoughtful and taking the time to help me - I appreciate it!