Create a macro to do it. Here is the code to use: Sub the() Dim n As Integer Dim temp As String n = 1 temp = Range("A" & n).Value Do While (temp > "") If UCase(Left(temp, 4)) = "THE " Then temp = Mid(temp, 5) End If Range("A" & n).Value = temp n = n + 1 temp = Range("A" & n).Value Loop End Sub Peter ------------------ The NoSpin Group [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- In the first column I have the artists names. Many of these begin with the word 'the' and I would like to remove it but keep the word 'the' if it appears mid sentence. TIA ... Mick PCSOFT maintains many useful files for download visit our download web page at: http://freepctech.com/downloads.shtml