◆ Excel · clean

Data Import

Standardise incoming application spreadsheets: trim extra spaces, convert text that looks like parcel IDs and numbers …

2heights
2tasks
1roles do it
See the prompt↓More clean workflows

The same job, four prompts

do it · improve it · decide · become
AExecute — “help me do it”Standardise incoming application spreadsheets: trim extra spaces, convert text that looks like…+
Standardise incoming application spreadsheets: trim extra spaces, convert text that looks like parcel IDs and numbers into text/number consistently, force dates into YYYY-MM-DD, and produce a clean table with parcel ID, address, application date ready to import into the database by Wednesday.
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.
BImprove — “do it better”Before I hand the cleaned file to IT for import, make validation easier for the database admin…+
Before I hand the cleaned file to IT for import, make validation easier for the database admin — show a small summary of rows fixed (trimmed, coerced dates, numeric conversions), flag rows still failing import rules, and include example row before/after so the admin trusts the automated fixes.
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid
The tool
Data Tools

Excel's Data Tools help you clean, standardize, split, and transform your data for better analysis and quality.

  1. 1

    Select a cell within your data range.

    Best practiceAvoid creating multiple data tables within a single spreadsheet to prevent confusion for analysis programs and humans.

  2. 2

    On the Home tab, select the Analyze Data button.

  3. 3

    Review the insights and visualizations provided by Analyze Data.

  4. 4

    To access advanced tools, go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon.

  5. 5

    Check the Developer box and select OK.

  6. 6

    On the Developer tab, click Add-Ins.

  7. 7

    Select the Analysis ToolPak check box and then select OK.

    NoteThe Analysis ToolPak provides complex data analysis functions.

  8. 8

    To import external data, go to the Data tab.

  9. 9

    In the Get & Transform Data section, select Get Data.

  10. 10

    Choose your data source and follow the prompts to import.

  11. 11

    Save your workbook to apply all changes.

Organize your data with clear rows and columns before using Data Tools to ensure accurate analysis.

Many Excel Data Tools functions can be automated using VBA macros or integrated with Power Query for repeatable data transformations.

Glossary

words on this page
Get & Transform DataA powerful feature set for connecting to, cleaning, and shaping data from various sources.ExampleYou can combine sales data from two different databases and clean it up for analysis.
Analysis ToolPakAn Excel add-in providing data analysis tools for financial, statistical, and engineering data.ExampleUsing the Analysis ToolPak, you can quickly run a regression analysis on your sales data.
Customize RibbonPersonalize the Ribbon by adding, removing, or reordering tabs and commands.ExampleYou customize the Ribbon to add your most frequently used formatting commands to a new tab.
Data ToolsA group of features on the Data tab for managing and analyzing data within cells.ExampleYou use Data Tools to remove duplicate entries from your customer list.
Get DataConnect to external data sources to import information directly into your Excel workbook.ExampleYou can import customer information directly from a website into your spreadsheet.

The real tasks

1 of them
Clean incoming planning application spreadsheets so parcel IDs, addresses and dates import reliably into our database.

Who does this

1 roles
Urban Planner

Questions people ask

honest answers

Because you rarely think 'I want the redaction tool'. You think 'I have to share this without leaking the client's details'. Start from the need, and the feature finds you.

Real. Every job here was drawn from what people in real roles were actually seen doing in Excel — not a feature checklist.

No. Each page gives you a ready prompt you can paste into an AI assistant, plus the plain steps to do it yourself. Start with either — the goal is the finished job, not the tool.