WPS Split Columns on macOS: Introduction

WPS Split Columns is a data-cleanup feature in WPS Spreadsheet on macOS; it includes 3 core tasks, with 3 available without membership and 0 membership-related items.

At a Glance

Metric	Value	Notes
Core tasks	3	Matches the number of rows in the How-to Index
Available without membership	3	Matches the number of Free rows in the index
Membership-related items	0	Matches the number of membership-related rows in the index

About This Feature

Overview

Split Columns helps you separate text in one cell into multiple adjacent columns by delimiter. Before finishing the split, you can also set the data type for each output column and choose the destination range, which is useful for cleaning imported lists, IDs, dates, and mixed text fields.

Core capabilities include:

Split text by delimiter: supports Tab, semicolon, comma, space, and custom delimiters.
Handle repeated delimiters: consecutive delimiters can be treated as one to reduce extra blank columns.
Set output format and destination: each previewed column can be set to General, Text, Date, or Skip, and the result can be placed in a chosen destination range.

This feature is useful for contact lists, imported text records, and irregular field cleanup in spreadsheets.

System Requirements

Item	Requirement
Operating system	A Mac device that can run WPS Office normally
App version	It is recommended to use the latest version of WPS Office for Mac
Network	Split Columns is a local spreadsheet feature and does not require a network connection for normal use
Other	Open an editable worksheet in WPS Spreadsheet and make sure there are enough blank columns to the right of the destination area

Download & Installation

Before using Split Columns, install WPS Office for Mac and open your workbook in WPS Spreadsheet.

Item	Details
Official download	WPS Office Free Download
Check after installation	Open WPS Office → open a spreadsheet file → go to the Data tab and confirm that the Split Columns entry is available

Source: WPS download page

Compare with Alternatives

Dimension	WPS	Microsoft	Google	Notion	Adobe
Capability Summary	Provides Split Columns on the Data tab for delimiter-based text splitting, with preview, destination range selection, and column data type settings.	Excel provides the Convert Text to Columns Wizard to split text by delimiter and choose a destination in the worksheet.	Google Sheets provides Split text to columns for delimiter-based splitting and lets users change the separator behavior.	Notion does not provide a direct spreadsheet-style split-columns wizard in a table view and more often relies on formula functions such as `split()` for text handling.	Adobe documentation focuses more on splitting table cells or document views, rather than a spreadsheet-style text-to-columns workflow.
WPS Advantages	Advantage: combines delimiter selection, repeated-delimiter handling, column type settings, and destination range control in one spreadsheet workflow. Distinct: suitable for direct cleanup of imported text inside a worksheet.	Compared with WPS: Excel offers a similar wizard flow and destination setting, but the interface and naming differ by product.	Compared with WPS: Google Sheets is more focused on quick splitting, while official guidance shows less control around per-column data types and destination setup.	Compared with WPS: Notion is better suited to formula-based text processing in databases, not a direct import-and-split spreadsheet workflow.	Compared with WPS: Adobe's related features are mainly for document tables or viewing layouts, not spreadsheet field splitting.
Official Source	—	Split text into different columns	Split text to columns	Formula syntax	Formatting tables

Overall Conclusion
If you need to split one text column into multiple spreadsheet columns while also controlling delimiters, column formats, and output location, WPS offers a practical worksheet-based flow for that task. Microsoft and Google provide related options with different workflow emphasis, while Notion and Adobe address adjacent scenarios rather than the same spreadsheet split process.

Use Cases

No.	Scenario	Suitable for	Main challenge	How Split Columns helps
1	Separate names and contact details	HR, admin, sales teams	One column contains names, phone numbers, or email addresses together	Split the content into independent columns by delimiter
2	Clean imported text exports	Finance, operations, analysts	Exported fields are packed into one column and are hard to analyze	Use the split workflow with commas, semicolons, or custom separators
3	Standardize dates and IDs	Data cleanup staff	Split results may need different formats by column	Set each output column to General, Text, or Date
4	Avoid overwriting existing data	Everyday spreadsheet users	Split results may occupy cells that already contain data	Review the destination range and keep blank columns ready
5	Process irregular delimiter patterns	Teachers, researchers, office users	Repeated delimiters can create unnecessary blank columns	Treat consecutive delimiters as one during splitting

Membership & Benefits

Free vs WPS Premium

Capability	Free users	WPS Premium
Split Columns	✅ Available	✅ Available
Basic spreadsheet editing	✅ Available	✅ Available
Additional advanced office and extended benefits	Use the free scope shown on the product page	Includes more advanced features and extended benefits

Source: WPS Office pricing page

Recommendations

Usage scenario	Recommended plan	Why
Routine text splitting and basic spreadsheet cleanup	Free	Split Columns itself is available for regular spreadsheet cleanup tasks
Broader long-term office use with more advanced tools	WPS Premium	Suitable if you also need additional advanced features and membership benefits

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