Identify Beam Type
I need to extract the first letter of 'Beam-ID' to separate 'I-Beams' from 'H-Beams'. This helps in sorting and filtering inventory for specific construction needs.
=LEFT(A2,1) How it works: The LEFT function is designed to extract a specified number of characters from the beginning (left side) of a text string. By using `LEFT(A2,1)`, we instruct Excel to look at the text in cell A2 and return only the very first character. This is perfect for isolating the 'I' or 'H' prefix that denotes the beam type, allowing for easy categorization and analysis.
Data Setup
| Beam-ID | Length (m) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| I-1234 | 10 | 500 |
| H-5678 | 12 | 600 |
| I-9012 | 8 | 400 |
| H-3456 | 15 | 750 |
| I-7890 | 11 | 550 |
Step-by-Step Guide
Open your Excel sheet containing the 'Beam-ID' data.
Select the cell where you want the extracted beam type to appear (e.g., cell B2, next to your first Beam-ID).
Type the formula `=LEFT(`.
Click on the cell containing the first 'Beam-ID' (e.g., A2).
Type `,1)` to specify that you want to extract only the first character from the left.
Press Enter to see the result (e.g., 'I' or 'H').
Drag the fill handle (the small square at the bottom-right of cell B2) down to apply the formula to the rest of your Beam-IDs.