Google Sheets | Split Text to Columns | Remove Duplicates | Trim Whitespace | Step-by-step Tutorial
Split Text into Columns
In Google Sheets, you can split text into columns. For example, a column with first and last names can be split, so the last name appears in
a separate column. Furthermore, you do not have to use any functions for this task.
Here is an example: If the name John Doe has been entered in a cell, you can split the name, so the last name, Doe, appears in an adjacent column. The first name remains in the original column.
Remove Duplicates
If a Google Sheets spreadsheet has duplicate data, you can remove it easily in simple steps. However, before you remove the duplicates, make sure it is the same data entered more than once.
Let's consider an example: In a column of names, the same name might appear two or more times. It means there are duplicate entries or there are two or more people with the same name. Additional qualifiers, such as phone numbers, would help to confirm duplicate entries. In case there are no qualifiers, remove the duplicates only after ensuring that they are
indeed duplicates. You may also want to make a copy of the spreadsheet, before removing the duplicates.
In Google Sheets, here's how you can easily make a copy of the present spreadsheet:
Click File, Select Make a Copy, Type a name for the copy in the name field or accept default, and click OK.
Trim Whitespace
Google Sheets let's you remove extra whitespace(s) easily. If an entry in a cell of a Google Sheets spreadsheet has additional whitespaces, it should be removed for data integrity. Further, if you use functions that require such data as one of the inputs or as the input, the functions might return incorrect results.
Let's look at another scenario that requires you to trim the white space. Say a column of names has a duplicate entry and you want to remove it. Further say that the duplicate entry has extra whitespace(s). If you try to remove the duplicate through the Remove duplicates option of Google Sheets, then that entry will not be removed because Google Sheets considers it as an unique entry.
You can resolve the above issue with the Trim Whitespace option. It removes the extra whitespaces in a flash.
Take a look at this three-part video tutorial. The first part gives the steps to separate first name and last name. The second part gives the steps to remove duplicates. The third part gives the steps to trim whitespace. Each part is explained with an example.