How to Split Column by Delimiter in Power Query
You have a dataset with a column 'FullName' containing values like 'John Doe'. You need to split this column into 'FirstName' and 'LastName' using the space delimiter. Which Power Query transformation should you use?
Quick Answer
The answer is to use the Split Column by Delimiter transformation in Power Query. This is correct because the transformation is specifically engineered to parse a single text column into multiple columns by identifying a consistent separator, such as a space, which directly addresses the need to separate 'John Doe' into distinct 'FirstName' and 'LastName' fields. On the Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst PL-300 exam, this task tests your ability to perform data shaping and cleansing within the Power Query Editor, a core skill for preparing data for analysis. A common trap is attempting to use the Extract or Replace Values functions, which do not split a column into multiple parts; instead, they modify the existing text. To remember this, think of the delimiter as a knife that cleanly cuts the data at every space or comma, creating new columns from the pieces.
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse 'Extract Text' with splitting, thinking it can parse delimiters, but 'Extract Text' only extracts fixed-length or positional substrings, not delimiter-based splits.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Split Column by Delimiter.
The 'Split Column by Delimiter' transformation in Power Query is specifically designed to divide a single text column into multiple columns based on a specified delimiter, such as a space. In this scenario, selecting the column 'FullName' and using 'Split Column > By Delimiter' with a space delimiter will correctly separate 'John Doe' into 'FirstName' (John) and 'LastName' (Doe). This is the standard approach for parsing delimited text within Power Query.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Split Column by Delimiter.
Why this is correct
Split Column by Delimiter directly satisfies the requirement to separate 'FullName' into 'FirstName' and 'LastName' at the space character. Power Query's split transformation supports a space delimiter with options for leftmost, rightmost, or each occurrence, producing the two new columns in a single step.
- ✗
Merge Columns.
Why it's wrong here
Merge Columns concatenates two or more columns into one using a separator, the opposite of the required operation. It is tempting because it also handles delimiters and column combinations, so it would be correct when combining FirstName and LastName into a FullName field rather than splitting one.
- ✗
Extract Text.
Why it's wrong here
Extract Text returns characters by position, range, or delimiter but outputs into the same column, so it cannot produce two separate FirstName and LastName fields. It is tempting because it handles delimiter-based extraction, yet Split Column by Delimiter is the transformation that creates the two new columns this scenario requires.
- ✗
Replace Values.
Why it's wrong here
Replace Values substitutes text within a column without creating new columns, so FirstName and LastName cannot result. It is tempting because it edits cell content and accepts a delimiter string, so it would be right for standardising a value such as correcting a misspelt name, not for splitting on a space.
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Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on PL-300
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. You are using Power Query to transform a column 'FullName' containing values like 'Smith, John'. You need to split this into 'LastName' and 'FirstName' columns. Which THREE steps are required?
medium- A.Unpivot columns
- ✓ B.Use 'Split Column' by delimiter
- ✓ C.Trim leading/trailing spaces from new columns
- D.Merge the split columns back
- ✓ E.Rename the new columns to LastName and FirstName
Why B: Option B is correct because the 'FullName' values like 'Smith, John' must first be separated at the comma, which is exactly what Power Query's 'Split Column' by delimiter (comma) does, producing two new columns. Option C is correct because the delimiter is followed by a space, so the resulting 'John' value will have a leading space that must be removed with Trim to get clean FirstName values. Option E is correct because the split produces generically named columns (e.g., 'FullName.1' and 'FullName.2'), so they must be renamed to 'LastName' and 'FirstName' to match the required output. Option A does not belong because Unpivot transforms columns into rows and is unrelated to splitting a single text column. Option D does not belong because merging the columns back would undo the split and recreate a single combined value, contradicting the goal of separate LastName and FirstName columns.
Variation 2. You are preparing data for a Power BI report. The source data contains a column 'FullName' with values like 'John Doe'. You need to split this column into 'FirstName' and 'LastName' using Power Query. The transformation should be repeatable and not dependent on the number of spaces. What is the best approach?
medium- A.Use 'Split Column by Number of Characters' with a fixed position.
- ✓ B.Use 'Split Column by Delimiter' and choose 'Right-most delimiter'.
- C.Use 'Replace Values' to replace space with a comma.
- D.Use 'Extract Text After Delimiter' with a space.
Why B: Using 'Split Column by Delimiter' with 'Right-most delimiter' ensures that the split occurs at the last space in the FullName column, which reliably separates the first name from the last name even if there are multiple spaces (e.g., 'John Michael Doe' would yield 'John Michael' as FirstName and 'Doe' as LastName). This approach is repeatable and does not depend on a fixed number of spaces, making it robust for varying name formats.
JA
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Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PL-300 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PL-300 exam.