convert list to columns

[Tuna425]

Here's my problem. I have a list of songs for a karaoke machine but there is no definition between the song and it's number and singer.

Here is an example

1-2-3 09471 GLORIA ESTEFAN G. ESTEFAN
10,000 PROMISES 09401 BACKSTREET BOYS SANDBERG
The list is 97 pages long. I would like to be able to separate it into columns like this.

1-2-3 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx09471xxxxxxxxxxx GLORIA ESTEFAN G. ESTEFAN
10,000 PROMISES xxxxxxx09401 xxxxxxxxxx BACKSTREET BOYS SANDBERG
(sorry for the x's couldn't figure out how else to do it.)
Just so I can copy it into excel then sort by song or artist
Any suggestions

[eNGiNe]

If the information in the second column is always a five-digit number, try a regular expression (wildcard) find/replace to replace the spaces either side the number with tabs. If it's only for import (so, not to look pretty) you don't even need to set the tab positions.

Note: you can already take a look a this, by exploring the Use wildcards option and the [Special] button in the Find and Replace dialogue – but someone else will need to pick up this thread and explain how to say "replace a space, five digits, and a space by a tab, the same five digits, and a tab". [I can only see "replace with Find what", which means the spaces are still there after adding the tabs]

Depending on what tools you feel comfortable with, you might be able to do this faster in a good text editor.

[Charles Kenyon]

To add to the previous response, you then use the feature to convert text to a table.
The tab acts to tell Word that that is the place to begin a column.

Tables

[eNGiNe]

Aha – your observation triggers what may count as a better understanding of the question :-}

• If OP is aiming for a spreadsheet as the end result, then surely converting tabbed text to a table in Word isn't strictly necessary?
• On the other hand, if OP is only using Excel for sorting, then OP could check the F1 help for sorting tables in Word.

[Charles Kenyon]

Your observations are correct, on both counts.