# Get First Initial of a Last Name

**URL:** <https://community.glideapps.com/t/get-first-initial-of-a-last-name/32694>\
**Category:** Community Resources\
**Tags:** tutorial\
**Created:** [October 5, 2021, 7:32pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/get-first-initial-of-a-last-name/32694 "2021-10-05T19:32:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 8\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Robert\_Petitto](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/robert_petitto/32/25193_2.png) [@Robert\_Petitto](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Robert_Petitto)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2021, 7:32pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/get-first-initial-of-a-last-name/32694/1 "2021-10-05T19:32:08Z")

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Split Text \> Single Value Column COMBO

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**Author:** ![Makis\_Theonas](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/makis_theonas/32/713_2.png) [@Makis\_Theonas](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Makis_Theonas)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2021, 8:09pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/get-first-initial-of-a-last-name/32694/2 "2021-10-05T20:09:56Z")

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Very nice!

We just need some text manipulation functions in Glide.

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**Author:** ![nathanaelb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/nathanaelb/32/43079_2.png) [@nathanaelb](https://community.glideapps.com/u/nathanaelb)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2021, 9:23pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/get-first-initial-of-a-last-name/32694/3 "2021-10-05T21:23:33Z")

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Very nice @Robert_Petitto !

@Makis_Theonas  
The column is experimental, but you can use Excel/GS formulae directly in Glide Tables: [hyperformula column](https://community.glideapps.com/t/excel-formula-column/29865). I’ve experimented a bit, it’s worked for my simple tests.

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**Author:** ![nathanaelb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/nathanaelb/32/43079_2.png) [@nathanaelb](https://community.glideapps.com/u/nathanaelb)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2021, 9:25pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/get-first-initial-of-a-last-name/32694/4 "2021-10-05T21:25:12Z")

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@Makis_Theonas  
Happy Glidiversary! 🎉

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**Author:** ![blairrorani](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/blairrorani/32/43426_2.png) [@blairrorani](https://community.glideapps.com/u/blairrorani)\
**Post date:** [June 28, 2023, 4:35am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/get-first-initial-of-a-last-name/32694/5 "2023-06-28T04:35:07Z")

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I just used a similar approach to get “F. Last” (but only if you’re not a supplier).  
Like so:

 ![Screenshot 2023-06-28 at 2.34.25 pm](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/glideapps/original/3X/2/2/2232c8f66ba71b33a4208567c1f2904f2984719c.png)

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**Author:** ![ThinhDinh](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/thinhdinh/32/49_2.png) [@ThinhDinh](https://community.glideapps.com/u/ThinhDinh)\
**Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 12:15am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/get-first-initial-of-a-last-name/32694/6 "2023-06-29T00:15:03Z")

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Here’s an alternative version using Excel formula.

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/glideapps/original/3X/3/9/391f4d40938aba19aab553d3299ba848abaa931d.png)

 ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/glideapps/original/3X/f/8/f81db434674e90d6a189f27a29cd6c064e2f6929.jpeg)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![blairrorani](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/blairrorani/32/43426_2.png) [@blairrorani](https://community.glideapps.com/u/blairrorani)\
**Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 12:18am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/get-first-initial-of-a-last-name/32694/7 "2023-06-29T00:18:19Z")

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Only works on an Excel data source? Or any?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ThinhDinh](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/thinhdinh/32/49_2.png) [@ThinhDinh](https://community.glideapps.com/u/ThinhDinh)\
**Post date:** [June 29, 2023, 12:22am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/get-first-initial-of-a-last-name/32694/8 "2023-06-29T00:22:50Z")

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That “Excel Formula” column should be available on any data sources. JavaScript can work as well, but I think Excel should be enough for this case.

```auto
IF(A2<>"Supplier",LEFT(A1,1)&". "&RIGHT(A1,LEN(A1)-FIND(" ",A1)),A1)

```