complex split string (delimit-text to columns)

ok as i re-read your comments and my reply.. i know i wasnt very clear in my answer, because as i say i cant follow your code too well so i'm not sure how to answer.. but if i can try and answer this part

If the middle name can only be an initial with or without a period then easy

yes that is true - treat it as that MI can only be a single letter, then (maybe a period) then a space, and everything after the space following the MI is the last name.

so first can only be a name, middle can only be an initial, then suffixes as we discussed, and everything between MI and suffix is last name.

does that clear up what you were trying to confirm?