Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: Reversing Names In Place.
George often has to work with data provided by other people. In working with this data he may need to convert a name, say Joe Bloggs, so that the last name is first, as in Bloggs, Joe. George understands that he can use a formula to do the name reversal, but he needs to do it in the same cell in which the name resides. He wonders if there is a built-in command that will perform this task.
No, there isn't a built-in command to do it. You can, however, create a macro that will do the switching for you. This macro could then be assigned to a shortcut key or placed on the toolbar so it can be easily accessed. Here's a simple macro that will do the switching:
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: 
Sub ReverseNames()
Dim c As Range
Dim n As Variant
Dim s As String
Dim j As Integer
For Each c In Selection
n = Split(c, " ")
s = n(UBound(n)) & ","
For j = LBound(n) To UBound(n) - 1
s = s & " " & n(j)
Next j
c.Value = Trim(s)
Next c
End Sub
To use the macro, just select the range of cells you want to affect and then run it. The macro separates the text in the cell into individual words (as separated by spaces) and then builds the name back again. It will handle two-word names (such as Joe Bloggs) just fine, but it will also handle longer names (such as Joseph Andrew Bloggs) just as easily.
Note:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (11399) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Reversing Names In Place.
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2022-01-24 09:59:19
J. Woolley
Sorry. If you copy/paste the first formula in my comment below that begins with =MID(A1,... you must replace the 3 non-breaking space characters with regular space characters.
2022-01-23 12:50:35
J. Woolley
My Excel Toolbox includes the following functions (derived from VBA) that might be useful for manipulating text as described in the Tip:n=FindRev(FindText,WithinText,[StartNum],[CaseSensitive])n=IsLike(Text,Pattern)n=Between(Text,BeginAfter,EndBefore,[CaseSensitive], [Direction])nAssuming a name like "John J. D. Smith" is in cell A1, here is a cell formula that performs like Willy's Reverse() macro:n=MID(A1,FindRev(" ",A1)+1,999)&", "&LEFT(A1,FindRev(" ",A1)-1)nnMy Excel Toolbox also includes these dynamic array functions:n=SplitText(Text,[Delimiter],[CaseSensitive],[Limit],[Remainder])n=ArraySize(Var)n=GetCols(RangeArray, ParamArray Cols())nAssuming a name like "John J. D. Smith" is in cell A1, here are cell formulas that perform tasks like Peter's SplitRev() macro:nCell A2 (first name):n=GetCols(SplitText(A1),1)nCell A3 (last name):n=GetCols(SplitText(A1),ArraySize(SplitText(A1)))nCell A4 (middle names, if any):n=TRIM(Between(A1,A2,A3))nnSee https://sites.google.com/view/MyExcelToolbox/
2022-01-23 05:13:33
Peter Atherton
One small drawback with InstrRev is that it only works for two word names. William S. Morris is returned as Morris, William S. The Split method offers a bit more control returning Morris S,, WilliamnnSub SplitRev()nDim c As Range, x As VariantnFor Each c In Selectionn x = Split(c, " ")n If UBound(x) = 2 Thenn c = x(2) & " " & x(1) & ", " & x(0)n Elsen c = x(1) & ", " & x(0)n End IfnNext cnEnd SubnnMind you it will be slower than Willy's code.
2022-01-23 04:42:05
Willy Vanhaelen
@JeffnX = InStrRev(Cell, " ") -> X will contain the position of the last space in the string. If X contains 0, meaning there is no space in the string or de cell is blank or contains a number, the following line will be skipped avoiding an error.
2022-01-23 03:12:12
Jeff
Hey Willy, in your code you have 'If X Then Cell'. I don't get it: If X ... what?
2022-01-22 06:18:12
Willy Vanhaelen
This macro, half the size, does the same job:nnSub Reverse()nDim Cell As Range, X As IntegernFor Each Cell In Selection()n    X = InStrRev(Cell, " ")n    If X Then Cell = Mid(Cell, X + 1) & ", " & Left(Cell, X - 1)nNext CellnEnd Sub
2022-01-22 05:50:16
Andy
Flash fill is an overlooked feature that will do the name reversal really easily.nJust type what you want the result to be in the cell next to the names.nAs you start to type the second name Excel should recognise the pattern and offer to complete the column for you.nnThis won't do it in the same column as the original data, but a quick cut then paste special values over the original data will accomplish this.
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