Characters from the left...

[Nuyorican]

I have column "A", with a list of names, preceded by a two digit number. I need to isolate that two digit number in column "B". Thank you.

 

[Rick Rothstein]

I have column "A", with a list of names, preceded by a two digit number. I need to isolate that two digit number in column "B". Thank you.

Assuming your first value is in cell A1, put this formula in cell B1 and copy it down to the end of your data...

=LEFT(A1,2)

The above gives you a text value which will preserve leading zeroes, if any. If you want real numbers for your results (leading zeroes will not be preserved), then use this formula instead...
=0+LEFT(A1,2)

 

[Nuyorican]

Thank you Rick.