TRIM Formula — Remove Extra Spaces in Excel & Sheets (Free Tool)

Removes all spaces from text except for single spaces between words.

Generated Formula
=TRIM(text)

Learning Resources

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Common Errors & Fixes

  • TRIM not removing all spaces

    Causes:
    • Non-breaking spaces (CHAR(160)) are not removed by TRIM.
    • Line breaks or tab characters between words.
    Fixes:
    • Use SUBSTITUTE to replace CHAR(160) with space first, then TRIM.
    • Use CLEAN before TRIM to remove line breaks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does TRIM remove line breaks?

No, TRIM only removes extra spaces between words and leading/trailing spaces. Use CLEAN to remove non-printing characters and line breaks.

What is the difference between TRIM and CLEAN?

TRIM removes extra spaces. CLEAN removes non-printable characters (line breaks, tabs, etc.). Use both: =TRIM(CLEAN(A1)) for thorough cleaning.

Does TRIM work in Google Sheets?

Yes, TRIM works identically in Google Sheets with the same syntax.

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