Definition
The CLEAN Excel function is a text function used in Excel to remove non-printable characters from text. This can be especially useful when you are importing text from other applications that may contain unwanted or non-printable characters. The function ensures that only printable text is left in the cell.
Key Takeaways
- The CLEAN function in Excel is a Text function that is used to remove non-printable characters from text. This function is particularly useful when dealing with data imported from other applications or sources that may contain characters which might not render visibly.
- CLEAN function only targets the first 32 non-printable ASCII values. For removing specific or a wider range of non-printable characters, other functions such as SUBSTITUTE or a combination of other Excel functions might be more effective.
- The syntax of the function is CLEAN(text). There is only one argument – ‘text’, it’s a required field. This is the text from which you want non-printable characters to be cleaned up. If any argument is not given or it’s supplied as blank, the CLEAN function will return a blank (“”).
Importance
The CLEAN Excel Function is critical in the finance field because it aids in maintaining data integrity and streamlining data analysis.
This function removes all non-printable characters that could potentially disrupt data processing or interpretation, such as uncommon unicode or ASCII characters.
This is particularly important in a financial context where large amounts of data are imported from various sources, and any anomaly may result in a significant error in calculations or misinterpretation of data.
By using the CLEAN function, financial analysts can ensure the accuracy and reliability of their data, leading to more accurate reports and financial decision-making.
Consequently, it saves time, reduces the risk of mistakes, and increases overall productivity.
Explanation
The CLEAN Excel Function is predominantly used to sanitize the text data present in a spreadsheet. Quite often, the data sets corporate professionals or analysts work with are large and sourced from various different platforms. In this process, some unwanted, non-printable characters might get inserted into the data.
These non-printable characters, if not dealt with, can interfere with further data processing and analysis. They can make the results inaccurate and waste significant time and resources. This is where the CLEAN function proves useful.
Its primary purpose is to remove these non-printable characters in Excel – such as the first 32 non-printing ASCII values (0 to 31) – and thus make the data more manageable and errors less likely. Using the CLEAN function significantly enhances data integrity and contributes towards generating reliable analytic results. In essence, the CLEAN Excel function assists users in their data quality control and data governance, helping to prepare clean, accurate, and reliable data for making important business decisions.
Examples of CLEAN Excel Function
The CLEAN Excel function is used to remove non-printable characters from text. Here are three real-world examples of its use in finance:
Cleaning Financial Data: Financial analysts frequently work with large datasets that are exported from financial systems or databases. Sometimes, these exports include non-printable characters that can interfere with data analysis. In this case, the CLEAN Excel function can be used to remove these characters, ensuring that the data is ready for analysis.
Improving Data Accuracy: When dealing with customer information such as addresses or phone numbers in a financial institute (like a bank or insurance company), non-printable characters can sometimes appear and cause errors in the system. Using the CLEAN function can help improve the accuracy of the data by removing these characters.
Preparing Reports: In finance, professionals often need to prepare reports using data gathered from different sources. These sources may contain non-printable characters which cause incorrect results or errors when calculations are performed. By using the CLEAN function, these professionals can ensure that their reports are error-free and accurate.
FAQs for the CLEAN Excel Function
1. What is the CLEAN function in Excel?
The CLEAN function in Excel is used to remove all non-printable characters from text. It helps in cleaning the text in Excel, which may often contain some non-printable characters such as line breaks.
2. How do I use the CLEAN function in Excel?
To use the CLEAN function in Excel, simply enter “=CLEAN(text)” into a cell, replacing “text” with the cell that contains the text you want to clean.
3. Can I use the CLEAN function with other functions in Excel?
Yes, the CLEAN function can be nested with other functions to perform more complex tasks. For instance, it can be used with the TRIM function to remove both non-printable characters and extra spaces.
4. What types of non-printable characters does the CLEAN function remove?
The CLEAN function removes non-printable ASCII characters, from value 0 to 31. However, it doesn’t remove additional non-printable characters in the Unicode standard.
5. Why am I still seeing some non-printable characters after using the CLEAN function?
The CLEAN function only removes non-printable characters from the ASCII standard. Some non-printable characters from other standards, like Unicode, will still remain. In that case, you might need to use additional functions or methods to clean your text.
Related Entrepreneurship Terms
- Net Present Value (NPV)
- Future Value (FV)
- Discount Rate
- Bond Pricing
- Accrued Interest
Sources for More Information
- Microsoft Support: You can find out more about the CLEAN function in Excel on the Microsoft’s official support page. It provides guidance and tutorials about various Excel functions.
- Excel Functions: This website offers comprehensive tutorials on Excel functions including the CLEAN function. You can learn how to use the function step by step here.
- Ablebits: Ablebits is another helpful resource for learning everything about Excel. They provide many examples for understanding and using the CLEAN function.
- Exceljet: Exceljet offers numerous guides and tips about Excel. Their tutorials are concise and easy to understand.
