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Google Sheets tutorials›Spreadsheet basics›Remove extra spaces

Google Sheets · Verified tutorial

Remove extra spaces in Google Sheets

Use Data > Data cleanup > Trim whitespace on A2:A4.

Verified by JosephineJuly 25, 2026About 60 seconds

Quick answer

Use Data > Data cleanup > Trim whitespace on A2:A4.

Step-by-step

1

Open the practice sheetUse the example data shown below so the result is easy to check.

2

Remove extra spacesUse Data > Data cleanup > Trim whitespace on A2:A4.

3

Check the resultCompare the finished sheet with the expected result and correct the target range if needed.

Shortcut or faster method

Use the menu path shown in the video and keep the target range selected until the change is applied.

Expected result

All names have normalized whitespace.

Common mistake

Starting with the wrong cell or range selected.

Troubleshooting

Re-select A2:A4 and repeat the final action. All names have normalized whitespace.

Example spreadsheet data

This is the clean fixture used for the verified run.

Name

Anna Rivera

Ben Carter

Cara Lee

Video transcript

Open the prepared Practice spreadsheet.
Open the practice sheet. Use the example data shown below so the result is easy to check.
Remove extra spaces. Use Data > Data cleanup > Trim whitespace on A2:A4.
Check the result. Compare the finished sheet with the expected result and correct the target range if needed.
All names have normalized whitespace.