Extract Area Codes from Phone Numbers
I have a list of client phone numbers and need to extract just the first 3 digits to analyze regional distribution.
=LEFT(B2,3) How it works: The LEFT function extracts a specified number of characters from the beginning (left side) of a text string. In this formula, `B2` refers to the cell containing the phone number, and `3` specifies that you want to extract the first three characters from that string. This effectively isolates the area code for analysis.
Data Setup
| Client Name | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Acme Corp | 123-456-7890 |
| Beta Ltd. | 2345678901 |
| Gamma Inc. | 345-567-8901 |
| Delta Co. | 456-789-0123 |
Step-by-Step Guide
Assume your phone numbers are in Column B, starting from cell B2.
Select cell C2 (or any empty cell where you want the first extracted area code to appear).
Type the formula `=LEFT(B2,3)` into the formula bar.
Press Enter. The first three digits of the phone number from B2 will appear in C2.
Drag the fill handle (the small green square at the bottom-right corner of cell C2) down to apply the formula to the rest of your phone numbers in Column B.