Question

Discuss two or three reasons why it is important to clean data prior to processing it. Illustrate each reason with a specific example.

Answer 1

Two or three reasons why it is important to clean data prior to processing it with example:

(1) To Get Rid of Extra Spaces:

Data containing the sentences with the extra space may lead to space redundancy. Extra space can be eliminated in the text using various functions.

Example:

Here we have text written in 4 different ways.

First line is regular method with one space between each word. In other lines, space between the words are more and not in manner. These types of data in database need to be cleaned. You can use Trim() function to get rid of the extra space.

Syntax: = TRIM(Text)

(2) Remove Duplicates:

Sometimes you don’t realize the data you are entering has already been entered. So, these type of duplicate data need to be removed.

Example:

Here, we have student data with their percentage. As shown below Mark Gill is entered twice in the database.

To remove it, Use conditional formatting method. After that use highlight the cell rules → duplicate values to highlight the duplicate value and then remove it.

(3) Identify the missing values:

If the key values are missing then data analysis cannot be completed. It happens when user or programmer forgets to enter some important data field. This missing value need to be filled in the database. After filling the missing values, the analysis can give the proper results.

Example:

Here, in above example important contact details are missing. Phone no. need to be filled as it is important field in the database.

(4) Eliminate the spelling mistakes:

Implement the spellcheck to eliminate spelling errors. The correct spelled data lead to better results.