In Excel: use =TRIM(A2) to remove leading, trailing and repeated normal spaces, and combine it with SUBSTITUTE for non-breaking spaces from web data.
On this page7
Add a helper column beside the messy text.
Enter =TRIM(A2) for normal spaces.
Use =TRIM(SUBSTITUTE(A2,CHAR(160)," ")) for web-import spaces.
Copy the cleaned results and Paste Values over the original if needed.
What this does
TRIM cleans normal spaces around and between words. Data copied from websites can contain non-breaking spaces, which TRIM alone may not remove. In that case, SUBSTITUTE(A2,CHAR(160)," ") replaces non-breaking spaces before TRIM cleans the result. Keep the inputs visible and clearly labelled and the whole thing stays auditable — anyone who opens the file later, including you, can see at a glance exactly what feeds the result and change one assumption without hunting through the formula. The difference between a quick fix and a sheet you can trust is the extra minute you spend validating “excel remove spaces between words”. Start on a copy or a tiny sample, keep the affected spaces visible, and compare the result with the outcome you expected before you touch the real workbook. When a formula is involved, keep the inputs labelled beside it, reference cells instead of typing values, and apply number formatting only after the result checks out. The point is a data step that keeps your analysis trustworthy, but the practical win is that someone else can open the file and understand what happened without asking you.
A worked example
A2 contains " ACME West ". =TRIM(A2) returns "ACME West". If imported text still refuses to match, use =TRIM(SUBSTITUTE(A2,CHAR(160)," ")). Space cleanup fixes failed lookups, duplicate detection and joins where values look identical but do not match. Check the referenced cells, argument order and result type in your workbook. Start with the worked example before changing an input, then compare the changed result with the calculation you expected. An error value or a result of a different type is a reason to inspect the inputs and arguments.
In Google Sheets
The standard worksheet functions used by this example are listed in Google Sheets. Check the cell references, argument separators and input types in the target spreadsheet, then compare the worked result. This formula-availability check does not establish identical menus, keyboard shortcuts or workbook features, and it is not a product execution test. Keep this page bookmarked for the next time the same question comes up. Better still, repeat the steps once in your own workbook — doing it yourself is what turns a copied answer into something you remember. For “excel remove spaces between words”, keep the input cells and the result visible while you check the formula in Excel. Follow the worked example and change one input at a time. The steps explain the workbook calculation; this page does not run a live calculator for that task.
Common mistakes
- Using Find/Replace space with nothing and removing intentional spaces inside names.
- Forgetting non-breaking spaces.
- Replacing formulas before checking results.
- Cleaning only one lookup column when both sides need
TRIM.
Frequently asked questions
What does TRIM remove?
Leading, trailing and repeated normal spaces.
Why are spaces still there?
They may be non-breaking spaces, character 160.
Can I remove all spaces?
Use SUBSTITUTE(A2," ",""), but only when internal spaces are truly unwanted.
Other ways people ask this
This is also commonly searched as “how to remove spaces between rows in excel” and “excel formula to remove spaces between words”. They describe the identical operation, so you are in the right place no matter how you phrased it.
Why do people search for this in so many different ways?
Because the same task has many names. “how to remove spaces between rows in excel”, “excel formula to remove spaces between words” all point at the one operation explained on this page, which is why they all lead here.