#! perl -sw use strict; while( ) { my @chunks = split /([\d-]+)/; print join'|',@chunks; } __DATA__ 141 Martha Lynn Amblynoster 12345 New Pickle Drive MoreTown PA 98765 654 555-1212 no detail 178 Edgar Bimblybum Jr. 23456 Highfiddle Road Acheville Ma 24680 345-789-1234 no detail 161 Joyce W. Wogerbung 18 Lily Piffle Lane Middleton PA 34567 610-678-2345 no detail 188 Alex Shmogle 6543 Bibblyboo St NW Apt B Washington DC 20009 202-987-6543 no detail __OUTPUT__ |141| Martha Lynn Amblynoster |12345| New Pickle Drive MoreTown PA |98765| |654| |555-1212| no detail |178| Edgar Bimblybum Jr. |23456| Highfiddle Road Acheville Ma |24680| |345-789-1234| no detail |161| Joyce W. Wogerbung |18| Lily Piffle Lane Middleton PA |34567| |610-678-2345| no detail |188| Alex Shmogle |6543| Bibblyboo St NW Apt B Washington DC |20009| |202-987-6543| no detail