EXCEL Trim column whitespace function

This article describes the RPA Excel functionality to trim whitespace from a column.

For a full list of available functions, please read EXCEL functions.

Description

The Trim column whitespace function strips leading and trailing whitespace (spaces, tabs) from all cells in a column. This is essential for data cleaning – extra whitespace can cause lookups, comparisons, and deduplication to fail silently.

Example

Setting it up

To use the Trim column whitespace function, follow these instructions:

{{popups:rpas/add:action=excel-trim}}

Once on a process map:

1. Navigate to the process where you would like to add the function
2. Click on the green button’s drop-down
3. Click on “+ Activity”
4. Select the EXCEL Trim column whitespace option
5. Click "Add" once you are done

Input parameters

Output

This function does not return a value. It modifies the sheet in place.

Errors

• Column not found – the specified column name does not exist in the sheet

Tips

• Run this before lookups, deduplication, or comparisons to avoid mismatches caused by invisible whitespace
• This only removes leading and trailing whitespace – spaces within the text are preserved

Related functions

• Find closest match
• Column unique values
• Change column values
• Find and replace