When importing data from another source into Excel, you often encounter some strange formatting, such as parentheses around data. This poses a problem, since manually editing the numerous data entries would take far too long. You need also be concerned that deleting all parentheses would render any formulas inoperative, since parentheses are a vital component of all functions. However, using Excel's Find and Replace function intelligently removes parentheses in values, while ignoring them in functions. This allows you to quickly remove data parentheses, while still keeping your formulas functional.
Step 1
Open your spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel.
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Step 2
Hold the "Ctrl" key and press "H" to open the "Find and Replace" window.
Step 3
Enter the opening parenthesis, "(", in the "Find what" field of the "Replace" tab and leave the "Replace with" field blank.
Step 4
Click "Replace All" to remove all opening parenthesis, while ignoring those required for functions.
Step 5
Repeat the procedure and enter the closing parenthesis, ")", in the "Find what" field.
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