Thanks Annie, I figured out a way to do it, for some reason when i copied the
workseet and paste speical = values on a seperate workbook seem to have fix
the problem.
Thanks a bunch to everyone.

"Annie" wrote:

Hi Eddie - Try =trim(cell_address). If tha works, same copy down/ copy/ paste
special values. I usually use both trim and clean with database imported data.
Cheers, Annie

"Eddie Ortiz" wrote:

Annie.. I was so excited to see this formula when you posted it.. but sorry
to say it didnt work.. it still shows up.

Column A1 Header = Fname A2 = 'Alan helper Cell =clean(A2) still shows 'Alan

the problem is the character shows when i export this spreadsheet into a
csv file but when it exports the character as box which i cant do a
FIND/Replace for it and i need to upload it to another database it doesnt
accept this character.

Thanks for the help thus far. Ill continue searching the the board maybe
someone has come across same problem. apparently this is normal everytime you
export anything from outlook to an excel spreadsheet.

-Eddie O.

"Annie" wrote:

Hi Eddie,
I have good luck with =clean(cell_address)
Create a new column. Use formula above, referencing cell with odd characters.
Copy formula down.
Select column with clean formula - copy/paste special/values. Use this
column as good data column if "clean" works.
Cheers, Annie

"Eddie Ortiz" wrote:

Hello Everyone,

I have question on how to remove chracters in my excel spreadsheet. I
exported my contract list from Outlook to an Excel spreadsheet and I need to
upload this data to a different database but I'm having problem because the
data i exported contains special characters. In the beginning of each cell
there is a character ' that shows up but only shows up in the formua bar
and the if cell is selected. also there is another character that show
randomly in each cell a thats looks like a box with a question mark inside
it.

I need to remove this characters before i can upload this data. I have tried
the Find and Replace feature with no success. I have also tried the CTRL-J
trick it eliminated the hard returns but not the special characters.

If there is anyone that can guide me, i sure would appreciate it. Thanks you
in advance.