How To Remove Dashes From Numbers In Excel

If you have ever worked with numbers in Excel, you know how important it is to maintain clean and consistent data. However, sometimes you may come across numbers that have dashes in them, which can cause issues with calculations and sorting. Fortunately, removing dashes from numbers in Excel is a simple task that can be done in just a few clicks.

In this article, we will go over the step-by-step process of removing dashes from numbers in Excel. We will explore different methods, including using formulas and formatting options, to help you quickly and efficiently clean up your data. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced Excel user, these tips will help you save time and reduce errors in your spreadsheets. So, let’s dive in and learn how to remove dashes from numbers in Excel!

How to Remove Dashes From Numbers in Excel

Excel is a powerful tool that can help you manipulate data quickly and easily. In this article, we will walk through the steps needed to remove dashes from a number in Excel. We will discuss how to do this in both the classic version of Excel and the new Excel 365.

Using the Replace Function

The Replace function is a quick and easy way to remove dashes from a series of numbers. To use this method, start by selecting the cell or range of cells with the dashes that you want to remove. Then, click the Formulas tab, and in the Text group select Replace. In the Replace window, enter the dash in the Find What field and leave the Replace With field blank, then click OK.

This will remove any dashes from the selected cells. You can also use the Replace function to replace any other character or set of characters. For example, you can use it to replace underscores or plus signs with a blank space.

Using the Find and Replace Feature

The Find and Replace feature is a more powerful tool than the Replace function. To use it, start by selecting the cell or range of cells with the dashes that you want to remove. Then, click the Home tab, and in the Editing group select Find and Select. In the Find and Replace window, enter the dash in the Find what field and leave the Replace with field blank, then click Find All.

This will highlight any cells that contain the dash. You can then click the Replace All button to replace all of the dashes with blank spaces. This is a great way to quickly remove dashes from a large range of cells.

Using the Text to Columns Feature

The Text to Columns feature is a useful tool for removing dashes from a series of numbers. To use this method, start by selecting the cell or range of cells with the dashes that you want to remove. Then, click the Data tab, and in the Data Tools group select Text to Columns. In the Convert Text to Columns Wizard, select Fixed Width and click Next.

This will open the Column Break Preview window. In this window, you can select the dash and delete it by pressing the Delete key. Then, click Finish to complete the process. This will remove the dashes from the selected cells.

Using a Macro

If you need to remove dashes from a large number of cells, you can use a macro. To do this, open the Visual Basic Editor by pressing Alt + F11. Then, enter the following code:

Sub RemoveDashes()
Dim cel As Range
For Each cel In Selection
cel.Value = Replace(cel.Value, “-“, “”)
Next cel
End Sub

This code will replace any dashes in the selected cells with a blank space. Once you have entered the code, click the Run button to run the macro. This will quickly remove all of the dashes from the selected cells.

Using a Formula

You can also use a formula to remove dashes from a series of numbers. To do this, start by selecting the cell or range of cells with the dashes that you want to remove. Then, enter the following formula:

=SUBSTITUTE(A1,”-“, “”)

This will replace any dashes in the selected cells with a blank space. You can also use this formula to replace any other character or set of characters.

Using the Flash Fill Feature

The Flash Fill feature is a great way to quickly remove dashes from a series of numbers. To use this method, start by entering the numbers with the dashes into a column. Then, enter the numbers without the dashes into the next column. Excel will detect the pattern and fill in the remaining cells automatically.

You can also use the Flash Fill feature to replace any other character or set of characters. For example, you can use it to replace underscores or plus signs with a blank space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Excel is a powerful spreadsheet program used for data analysis, visualization and tracking. Removing dashes from numbers in Excel is a common task that can be accomplished with a few simple steps. Here are some frequently asked questions about how to do it.

How do I remove dashes from numbers in Excel?

Removing dashes from numbers in Excel can be done in a few simple steps. First, select the cells containing the numbers you want to remove the dashes from. Then, click the ‘Home’ tab in the ribbon and select the ‘Replace’ option in the ‘Editing’ group. This will open the ‘Find and Replace’ dialog box. In the ‘Find what’ field, enter the dash you want to remove, and leave the ‘Replace with’ field blank. Finally, click ‘Replace All’. This will remove all dashes from the selected numbers.

Is there a shortcut for removing dashes from numbers in Excel?

Yes, there is a shortcut for removing dashes from numbers in Excel. To remove a dash, simply press ‘Ctrl+H’ to open the ‘Find and Replace’ dialog box. Then, enter the dash in the ‘Find what’ field and leave the ‘Replace with’ field blank. Finally, click ‘Replace All’ to remove all dashes from the selected numbers.

Can I remove dashes from only certain numbers in Excel?

Yes, you can remove dashes from only certain numbers in Excel. To do this, first select the cells containing the numbers you want to remove the dashes from. Then, click the ‘Home’ tab in the ribbon and select the ‘Find & Select’ option in the ‘Editing’ group. This will open the ‘Find and Replace’ dialog box. In the ‘Find what’ field, enter the dash you want to remove, and leave the ‘Replace with’ field blank. Finally, click ‘Find All’ to select all numbers containing the dash. Then, click ‘Replace All’ to remove all dashes from the selected numbers.

What happens if I enter a wrong character when trying to remove dashes from numbers in Excel?

If you enter a wrong character when trying to remove dashes from numbers in Excel, the program will not be able to find the correct dash. This can result in the wrong characters being removed or no changes being made at all. To ensure that the correct character is removed, make sure to double-check the character you are entering in the ‘Find what’ field of the ‘Find and Replace’ dialog box.

Can I remove multiple dashes from numbers in Excel?

Yes, you can remove multiple dashes from numbers in Excel. To do this, first select the cells containing the numbers you want to remove the dashes from. Then, click the ‘Home’ tab in the ribbon and select the ‘Replace’ option in the ‘Editing’ group. This will open the ‘Find and Replace’ dialog box. In the ‘Find what’ field, enter the dashes you want to remove, and leave the ‘Replace with’ field blank. Finally, click ‘Replace All’ to remove all dashes from the selected numbers.

How To Quickly Remove Dashes From Cells In Excel?

In conclusion, removing dashes from numbers in Excel can be a quick and easy task with just a few simple steps. By utilizing the Text to Columns feature, users can quickly separate the numbers from the dashes and then use the concatenate function to bring them back together without the use of dashes.

Whether you’re working with a small dataset or a large one, removing dashes from numbers can help to streamline your data and make it easier to read and analyze. So, if you’re tired of dealing with dash-filled numbers in Excel, give these tips a try and see how they can improve your workflow and productivity.