Google Sheets Cleanup Script

Automate your Google Sheets cleanup process by removing unnecessary empty rows and columns across all sheets in your spreadsheet. This script not only helps you maintain a tidy workspace but also optimizes your sheet's performance by minimizing the cell usage, crucial for avoiding the Google Sheets 10 million cell limit.

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Features

• Cleans All Sheets in One Click: Automatically deletes all empty rows and columns in every sheet of your Google Spreadsheet.
• Improves Performance: Reduces unnecessary cell usage, ensuring smoother performance for large spreadsheets.
• Optimizes Cell Count: Helps avoid Google Sheets' 10 million cell limit by managing unused cells efficiently.
• Custom Menu Integration: Adds a user-friendly menu in your spreadsheet for one-click functionality.
• Lightweight and Easy to Use: No dependencies, just copy and paste the script to get started.

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Installation

1. Open your Google Spreadsheet.
2. Navigate to Extensions > Apps Script.
3. Paste the "deleteEmptyRowsAndColumnsAcrossSheets().gs" code into the script editor:
4. Save the project with a name (e.g., Cleanup Script).
5. Refresh your Google Spreadsheet to enable the script.

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Example: Step-by-Step Guide

Scenario:

You have a spreadsheet with multiple sheets where data only occupies a small portion, but the sheet dimensions extend unnecessarily to thousands of rows and columns.

Steps:

1. Open your Google Spreadsheet.
2. After installing the script, navigate to the Custom Menu in the top menu bar.
3. Select Delete Empty Rows and Columns Across Sheets.
4. Watch the magic happen as your spreadsheet is automatically cleaned:
   • Excess rows and columns will be removed.
   • The sheet will resize to the smallest possible dimensions based on your data.

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Integration with Larger Workflows

This script is particularly useful in scenarios like:

• Preparing data for visualization tools like Google Data Studio.
• Optimizing spreadsheets before importing/exporting to external systems.
• Ensuring smoother collaboration on large-scale spreadsheets.

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Troubleshooting

Issue: The script doesn't seem to work.

• Solution: Ensure you’ve saved the script and refreshed the spreadsheet after installation.

Issue: I accidentally deleted important rows/columns.

• Solution: Use Google Sheets' Version History to restore a previous version of your spreadsheet.

Issue: Custom Menu is not appearing.

• Solution: Go to Extensions > Apps Script, and re-run the onOpen function manually.

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Related Links

• Google Apps Script Documentation
• Google Sheets 10 Million Cell Limit Explanation

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Acknowledgments

Thanks to the open-source community and Google Apps Script developers for providing inspiration and tools to make projects like this possible.

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