When using CLEAN, the most common questions fall into 3 areas: formula errors, unexpected results, and applying the function across multiple cells.
FAQ
What should I do if CLEAN returns #VALUE!?
- Check whether the referenced cell content matches what the formula expects.
- Make sure you did not use full-width punctuation such as Chinese commas or brackets.
- If the text also contains extra spaces, review it together with other text-processing functions.
What should I do if the CLEAN result is different from what I expected?
- Confirm that the referenced range is correct.
- Check whether the original cell content actually contains non-printing characters.
- Use formula evaluation tools on the Formulas tab to inspect the calculation step by step.
How can I use CLEAN in multiple cells at once?
- Enter the CLEAN formula in the first target cell.
- Drag the fill handle from the lower-right corner of the cell across the target range, or copy and paste the formula into other cells.
- After filling, check whether relative or absolute references match your intended result.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| CLEAN | A text function in WPS Spreadsheets that removes non-printing characters from text. |
| Insert Function | An entry that lets you search for and insert a function from a dialog box, which is useful when you do not want to type the full syntax manually. |
| Formula bar | The area above the worksheet where you can view and edit cell content or formulas. |
| Non-printing characters | Control characters in text that are usually not displayed directly but can affect data cleanup and display results. |