Metadata
HAS_COMPOUND_SURNAME
Returns TRUE when a name appears to contain a compound surname.
Syntax
=HAS_COMPOUND_SURNAME(full_name)Parameters
full_nameReturns
TRUE or FALSE. Blank input returns FALSE.
Example
=HAS_COMPOUND_SURNAME("Ludwig van Beethoven")Result: TRUE
Notes
Use bounded ranges. SPLIT_NAME flattens the input range row by row into one output row per name; component and formatting functions preserve the input row and column shape.
The parser handles titles, suffixes, comma-formatted names, and common surname particles such as van, von, de, del, and de la.
Parsing uses Western-order and explicit Last, First heuristics. It cannot infer every cultural naming convention. Review ambiguous names; confidence is a rule-based score, not a probability of correctness.
Blank names stay blank. Non-text names, empty comma components and invalid header or metadata options throw native spreadsheet errors with an NS_ERROR message. Use ISERROR, ISERR or IFERROR to handle them.
Parsing runs in Google Apps Script™. Limited usage events sent to Amplitude exclude formula inputs, results, spreadsheet contents and account email. Optional feedback sends only the message and optional email you enter. See the privacy policy.