totn Excel Functions

MS Excel: How to use the CLEAN Function (WS)

This Excel tutorial explains how to use the Excel CLEAN function with syntax and examples.

Description

The Microsoft Excel CLEAN function removes all nonprintable characters from a string.

The CLEAN function is a built-in function in Excel that is categorized as a String/Text Function. It can be used as a worksheet function (WS) in Excel. As a worksheet function, the CLEAN function can be entered as part of a formula in a cell of a worksheet.

Syntax

The syntax for the CLEAN function in Microsoft Excel is:

CLEAN( text )

Parameters or Arguments

text
The value that has all nonprintable characters removed from.

Returns

The CLEAN function returns a string/text value.

Applies To

  • Excel for Office 365, Excel 2019, Excel 2016, Excel 2013, Excel 2011 for Mac, Excel 2010, Excel 2007, Excel 2003, Excel XP, Excel 2000

Type of Function

  • Worksheet function (WS)

Example (as Worksheet Function)

Let's look at some Excel CLEAN function examples and explore how to use the CLEAN function as a worksheet function in Microsoft Excel:

Microsoft Excel

Based on the Excel spreadsheet above, the following CLEAN examples would return:

=CLEAN(A1)
Result: "hi there"

=CLEAN(A2)
Result: "this is a test"