Replace Accented Characters in Google Sheets: Step-by-Step Guide

To replace accented characters in Google Sheets, you can follow these steps:

1. Using the REMOVE_ACCENTED function: Google Sheets has a built-in function called REMOVE_ACCENTED that can replace accented characters with their English equivalents. Here’s how you can use it:
   • In a cell, enter the formula =REMOVE_ACCENTED(A1), where A1 is the cell containing the text with accented characters.
   • The function will convert the accented characters to their English equivalents, such as replacing “è” with “e” or “á” with “a”.
2. Using a custom function: You can create a custom function in Google Apps Script to replace accented characters with regular letters. Here’s an example of a custom function called “replaceAccented”:
   • Open your Google Sheets and go to “Extensions” > “Apps Script”.
   • In the Apps Script editor, paste the following code:
   function replaceAccented(text) {
var accents = 'ŠŽšžŸÀÁÂÃÄÅÇÈÉÊËÌÍÎÏÐÑÒÓÔÕÖÙÚÛÜÝàáâãäåçèéêëìíîïðñòóôõöùúûüýÿ';
var regulars = 'SZszYAAAAAACEEEEIIIIDNOOOOOUUUUYaaaaaaceeeeiiiidnooooouuuuyy';
var result = '';
for (var i = 0; i < text.length; i++) {
var char = text[i];
var index = accents.indexOf(char);
if (index !== -1) {
result += regulars[index];
} else {
result += char;
}
}
return result;
}

   • Save the script and close the Apps Script editor.
   • In your Google Sheets, you can now use the custom function by entering =replaceAccented(A1), where A1 is the cell containing the text with accented characters.

By using these techniques, you can easily replace accented characters with regular letters in Google Sheets. Whether you choose to use the built-in REMOVE_ACCENTED function or create a custom function, these methods will help you clean up your data and work with standardized text.

Method2:

Accented characters and diacritics can sometimes pose challenges in data normalization, language compatibility, and formatting. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of replacing accented characters with their English counterparts in Google Sheets. By following the step-by-step instructions, you can ensure data consistency, improve language compatibility, and achieve accurate formatting.

1. Understanding Accented Characters and Diacritics: Begin by understanding what accented characters and diacritics are. Gain insight into their usage and common scenarios where replacing them with English letters is beneficial. This understanding will set the foundation for the replacement process.
2. Identifying Accented Characters in Google Sheets: Learn techniques to identify cells or ranges in your Google Sheets that contain accented characters. Utilize functions and formulas to locate cells with diacritics, enabling targeted replacement.
3. Creating a Replacement Mapping Table: Create a mapping table that defines the replacements for each accented character. Establish a clear correspondence between accented characters and their corresponding English letters. This mapping table will serve as a reference for the replacement process.
4. Using the SUBSTITUTE Function to Replace Accented Characters: Introduce the SUBSTITUTE function in Google Sheets, a powerful tool for replacing specific text within a cell. Follow a step-by-step approach to replace accented characters using the SUBSTITUTE function and the mapping table created in Section 3.
5. Applying the Replacement to Multiple Cells or Columns: Expand the replacement process to multiple cells or columns in your spreadsheet. Explore techniques such as array formulas and the ARRAY FORMULA function to efficiently apply the replacement across a range of cells.
6. Customizing and Expanding the Replacement Mapping: Customize the replacement mapping table by adding additional accented characters and their corresponding English letters. Handle specific cases and exceptions to ensure comprehensive and accurate replacements.
7. Automating the Replacement Process with Apps Script: Discover the power of Apps Script, a scripting platform provided by Google, to automate the replacement of accented characters. Learn how to write a custom script that can perform the replacement process automatically, saving time and effort.

By following the methods outlined in this guide, you can replace accented characters with English letters in Google Sheets effectively. Normalize and clean your text data, ensuring compatibility and consistency across different systems and applications. Enhance the accuracy and reliability of your Google Sheets projects using this essential technique.