Question

Removing carriage returns from a 5000 record Excel spreadsheet.

Asked by: Dopher

I have an Excel file with 5000 records. Several columns have character data with carriage returns integrated into the text. How can I remove the carriage return icon (a little square)?
Find and replace has been unsuccessful. Due to the size of the file copying and pasting to Word is not an option. A macro would be great, or the correct syntax for the Find and Replace.

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Asked On: 2008-01-03 at 07:18:09ID23055683
Tags: Microsoft
,; Excel
,; 2003
Topic: Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet Software
Participating Experts: 6
Points: 250
Comments: 9

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Answers

by: jpaulinoPosted on 2008-01-03 at 07:28:30ID: 20573477

You can try something like this:

ActiveSheet.Columns("A:IV").Replace What:=vbCrLf, Replacement:=" ", SearchOrder:=xlByColumns, MatchCase:=True

by: ahammarPosted on 2008-01-03 at 07:29:02ID: 20573483

This code I think will remove the squares:
Cells.Replace What:=Chr(13), Replacement:="", LookAt:=xlPart, SearchOrder:= _
xlByRows, MatchCase:=False, SearchFormat:=False, ReplaceFormat:=False

And this code will remove actual new lines:
Cells.Replace What:=Chr(10), Replacement:="", LookAt:=xlPart, SearchOrder:= _
xlByRows, MatchCase:=False, SearchFormat:=False, ReplaceFormat:=False

by: roryaPosted on 2008-01-03 at 07:29:36ID: 20573488

Edit a cell, copy the little square, then paste it into the Find box, leave Replace empty and hit Replace All.
Regards,
Rory

by: patrickabPosted on 2008-01-03 at 07:43:28ID: 20573629

If you want to use a macro to remove the small boxes then you could use the one below:

To install a sub in a module:

1) Press ALT+F11
2) Find the workbook name, right-click on it
3) Select Insert/Module
4) Double click on the new Module
5) Paste the code into the Module under Option Explicit
6) ALT + F11 to return to the worksheet
7) ALT + F8 to select and run the macro

Sub specialmacro()
Dim celle As Range
Dim i As Long
Dim str As String
 
str = ""
 
For Each celle In Sheets("Sheet1").UsedRange
    For i = 1 To Len(celle)
        If Asc(Mid(celle, i, 1)) > 31 Then
            str = str & Mid(celle, i, 1)
        Else
            str = str & " "
        End If
    Next i
    celle = str
    str = ""
Next celle
 
End Sub

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by: c336914Posted on 2008-01-03 at 07:47:29ID: 20573668

Dopher,

I have this problem when importing data from mainframe datasets. Here is a piece of code I use to fix it since Excel doesn't like the CR characters. This will replace oll the CR with LF (line Feed) characters in a selected range.

Bruce

Sub CR_to_LF()
Application.ScreenUpdating = False
Dim c as Range
Dim cValTemp As String
For Each c In Selection
    cValTemp = c.Value
    c.Value = Replace(cValTemp, vbCrLf, vbLf)
    c.Rows.AutoFit
Next c
End Sub

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by: patrickabPosted on 2008-01-03 at 07:47:30ID: 20573667

Dopher,

Here's a file with that macro in it:

http://www.ee-stuff.com/Expert/Upload/getFile.php?fid=6395

Hope that helps.

Patrick

by: shasunderPosted on 2008-01-04 at 01:27:43ID: 20580763

Press Alt + F11
Press Ctrl + R
double click on thisworkbook
copy and paste the below given code. This will replace the carriagereturn with blank.
if this fails replace
Cells(i, j) = Replace(Cells(i, j), Chr(13), "")
with
Cells(i, j) = Replace(Cells(i, j),vbcrlf, "")

Sub main()
For i = 1 To Cells.Rows.Count
For j = 1 To Cells.Columns.Count
If Cells(i, j) <> "" Then
Cells(i, j) = Replace(Cells(i, j), Chr(13), "")
End If
Next
Next
End Sub

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by: DopherPosted on 2008-01-04 at 08:39:40ID: 20583723

Thanks all! Patrickab's file worked like a charm! Thanks for saving me hours!!

by: patrickabPosted on 2008-01-04 at 12:49:16ID: 20585972

Dopher - Pleased it did what it said on the can. Thanks for the grade. - Patrick

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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Removing carriage returns from a 5000 record Excel spreadsheet.

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Microsoft

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Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet Software

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