Stripping Out Unwanted Characters - Excel Basics

The raw file has characters that need to be removed...

Sometimes when you run an extract, the file contains data characters that you don't want in your file list.

These could be commas, dashes, stars or any weird character that is added with source files.   Want to strip this out quickly?  Here is a formula that can help.

Note - there is an easier way to do this using "text to columns" - but lets keep it interesting and use just formula.

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Strip out the character using formula

We can develop a formula that finds any unwanted character and replace it with a better character. 

So in this case, we need to find the "-" and replace it with a " " instead. 

In cell B1 enter this formula:  

​=REPLACE(A1, FIND("-",A1), 1, " ")

What this is saying:

= Replace formula allows you to search within a cell to find a special character

A1 is telling the formula where the cell is that has the problem

FIND("-",A1) is telling the formula WHERE the incorrect character is

1 is saying to replace just 1 character (i.e. change the - to a space)

And finally the " " is telling the formula when you find the "-" replace it with the " "

You can have fun with this formula by saying change the "-" to a "^" by using this formula:

​=REPLACE(A1, FIND("-",A1), 1, "^")

Once you are happy with it - fill the formula down you are done.