3 Ways To Remove Last 4 Characters In Excel

When working with data in Excel, it's not uncommon to encounter situations where you need to remove a certain number of characters from a cell. One such scenario is when you need to remove the last 4 characters from a cell. This can be particularly useful when dealing with data that has a uniform suffix or when you need to extract a specific part of the data. In this article, we'll explore three different methods to remove the last 4 characters in Excel.

Using the LEFT Function

The LEFT function is one of the most straightforward methods to remove the last 4 characters from a cell in Excel. The LEFT function returns a specified number of characters from the start of a text string. The syntax for the LEFT function is as follows:

LEFT(text, [num_chars])

Where:

• text is the text string from which you want to extract characters.
• [num_chars] is the number of characters you want to extract. If omitted, it defaults to 1.

To remove the last 4 characters, you can use the following formula:

=LEFT(A1, LEN(A1)-4)

Here, A1 is the cell from which you want to remove the last 4 characters.

Using the RIGHT and LEN Functions

Another method to remove the last 4 characters is by using a combination of the RIGHT and LEN functions. The RIGHT function returns a specified number of characters from the end of a text string. However, since we want to remove characters from the end, we'll use it in conjunction with the LEN function, which returns the length of a text string. The syntax for the RIGHT function is as follows:

RIGHT(text, [num_chars])

Where:

• text is the text string from which you want to extract characters.
• [num_chars] is the number of characters you want to extract. If omitted, it defaults to 1.

To remove the last 4 characters, you can use the following formula:

=RIGHT(A1, LEN(A1)-4)

However, this formula will give you the last characters, not the string without the last 4 characters. To get the desired result, you need to use the following formula:

=LEFT(A1, LEN(A1)-RIGHT(A1, 4))

Or

=REPLACE(A1, RIGHT(A1, 4), "")

But the most straightforward way to remove the last 4 characters using the RIGHT function is:

=LEFT(A1, LEN(A1)-4)

Using VBA Macro

If you prefer using VBA macros or need to remove the last 4 characters from a large dataset, you can create a custom function. Here's an example VBA macro function:

Function RemoveLastNCharacters(inputString As String, Optional n As Long = 4) As String
    If n >= Len(inputString) Then
        RemoveLastNCharacters = ""
    Else
        RemoveLastNCharacters = Left(inputString, Len(inputString) - n)
    End If
End Function

To use this macro, follow these steps:

1. Press Alt + F11 to open the Visual Basic Editor.
2. In the Visual Basic Editor, go to Insert > Module to insert a new module.
3. Paste the macro code into the module.
4. Save the workbook as a macro-enabled file (.xlsm).
5. Go back to your worksheet and enter the following formula:

=RemoveLastNCharacters(A1)

Replace A1 with the cell from which you want to remove the last 4 characters.

Gallery of Excel Functions

Excel Functions Image Gallery

In conclusion, there are several ways to remove the last 4 characters in Excel. You can use the LEFT function, a combination of the RIGHT and LEN functions, or create a custom VBA macro function. Each method has its own advantages, and the choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences.