---
title: Got Clutter? Not in Minitab
description: Got Clutter? Not in Minitab
---

[Minitab Blog](https://blog.minitab.com/en/blog)

# [Got Clutter? Not in Minitab](https://blog.minitab.com/en/blog/real-world-quality-improvement/got-clutter-not-in-minitab)

 Written by [Minitab Blog Editor](https://blog.minitab.com/en/blog/author/minitab-blog-editor) | Mar 7, 2012, 5:00:00 AM

Have you ever seen the TV show [Hoarders](http://www.aetv.com/hoarders/)? The show documents the lives of people who have a hard time letting go of their belongings, which often results in a clutter-ridden, unorganized, and barely-livable home.

Sometimes I feel like my Minitab worksheets resemble the homes seen on Hoarders, and messy worksheets certainly don’t lend themselves to Lean, efficient data analysis. I have nightmares that some day I may even find myself unable to use [Minitab](http://www.minitab.com/en-US/products/minitab/) to analyze my data because my worksheets are so cluttered.

Because data isn’t always collected in a way that’s conducive to analysis, Minitab offers a wide array of data manipulation tools (most are in the **Data** menu) that help you clean up and organize your data.

If your worksheets ever get a little messy, you can turn your Minitab project into a clutter-free zone. Just use these simple tools to clean up your workspace and remove the extraneous rows and columns that can complicate your work.

## Hide Unused Columns

If you have several unused columns that you might need later and don't want to delete, use the **Hide Selected Columns** feature in Minitab. Select and right-click the column(s) you would like to hide, and choose **Column \> Hide Selected Columns** to move the variables temporarily out of sight.

## Split a Crowded Worksheet

If you have data for three separate processes jammed onto a single worksheet, it can be awkward to work with any one portion of your worksheet. Use the **Data \> Split Worksheet** tool to easily split the worksheet into separate, easy-to-manage worksheets.

## Delete Excess Rows and Columns

Redundant columns and repeated column headings may complicate your analysis. Use the **Data \> Erase Variables** tool, along with simple manual deletions, to eliminate the excess labels, which will leave you with a cleaner, more compact worksheet.

 

 

[View full post](https://blog.minitab.com/en/blog/real-world-quality-improvement/got-clutter-not-in-minitab)

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