Flash Fill (Excel) / Smart Fill (Google Sheets): Start typing the pattern you want to extract in an adjacent column, and the spreadsheet will often intelligently auto-fill the rest. This is pure magic for rapid extraction.
Why it's a secret: These functions turn manual copy-pasting into a formula-driven, repeatable process. Once you build the formula for one row, you drag it down, and the entire list is processed in seconds.
Secret #4: Leverage "Text to Columns" and "Find & Replace" Aggressively (The Pre-Processing Power)
These simple features are often the unsung heroes of rapid list transformation.
How:
Find & Replace: Before you even think about complex formulas, use Find & Replace to standardize in brother cell phone list consistent delimiters (- vs _), correct common typos, or unify phrasing (e.g., "Prod A" to "Product A").
Text to Columns: If you can get your list items to have a consistent delimiter (even if you just added it with Find & Replace), this feature (under Data in Excel/Google Sheets) will instantly split your single column of text into multiple structured columns.
Why it's a secret: These are quick, blunt instruments that can clean up a surprising amount of mess with minimal effort, setting the stage for more precise extraction or direct data import.
For recurring LIST TO DATA tasks, investing in automation pays dividends quickly.