Remove Special Characters
Remove special characters from text. Keep only letters, numbers, and optional spaces/punctuation. Copy or download the cleaned output.
How This Tool Works
Special characters can break imports, create inconsistent IDs, or cause validation errors in forms and databases. This tool removes (or keeps) characters based on the options you choose.
Use “Keep” mode to keep only selected character groups (letters, numbers, spaces, etc.), or “Remove” mode to remove only the groups you select.
- Keep only alphanumeric: Great for spreadsheets, IDs, and clean exports.
- Optional punctuation: Keep dots/dashes/underscores if you need them.
- Accents & whitespace: Remove accents and collapse spaces for consistent output.
Common Use Cases
Cleaning text is especially useful when you copy data from PDFs, web pages, or exports where hidden characters and symbols are common.
- Spreadsheets: Prevent broken columns and weird characters in imports.
- Usernames & IDs: Keep only allowed characters for strict systems.
- Data cleanup: Remove emojis/symbols and normalize formatting quickly.
FAQ
What counts as “special characters”?
Typically symbols outside letters and digits (like !@#$, currency signs, emojis, and many punctuation marks). This tool lets you choose exactly what to keep.
Can I keep spaces and punctuation?
Yes. You can keep spaces, new lines, and a basic punctuation set (like dashes, underscores, dots, and brackets) depending on your use case.
Can I remove accents like é or å?
Yes. Turn off “Keep accents” to convert accented characters to their basic form (e.g., é → e).
Is my text uploaded anywhere?
No. Everything runs locally in your browser. Nothing is stored or sent to a server.