List tools

What it does

Paste a list and build the clean-up you need from steps that run in order: trim spaces, remove blank items, remove duplicates, sort, reverse, shuffle, number the lines, or add text to the start or end of every item. The result updates as you type, with a count of the items in and out and how many duplicates were removed.

The list does not have to be one item per line. It can be split on commas, tabs or any text you choose, and joined with something different on the way out.

How to use it

1. Paste your list into the input pane. The page opens with a small sample and four steps: Trim, Remove blanks, Remove duplicates, Sort.
2. Change the steps. Use the arrows on a step to move it earlier or later, and the cross to remove it. To add another, choose it in the list after the last step and press Add step. Sort, Remove duplicates, Add prefix and Add suffix each have their own setting.
3. Set Split on and Join with if your list is not one item per line.
4. Press Copy, or Download to save the result as a text file.

Shuffle puts the items in a random order and keeps that order until you press Shuffle again, so the result does not change while you are copying it.

Questions

Why does the order of the steps matter?

Each step works on the result of the one before it. Trim then Remove duplicates treats "apple" and " apple" as the same item; the other way round keeps both, because they were still different when duplicates were checked. Number lines before Sort keeps each item's original number; Sort before Number lines numbers them in their new order.

How do I sort numbers properly, so that 10 comes after 9?

Choose "Numbers in order" in the Sort step. Plain A–Z compares character by character, which puts 10 before 9. "Numbers in order" reads runs of digits as numbers, so "item 2" comes before "item 10".

Which copy is kept when duplicates are removed?

The first one, in its original spelling. With "Ignore case" chosen, "Apple" and "apple" count as the same item and whichever came first stays.

Can I turn a column into a comma-separated line, or the other way round?

Yes. Set "Split on" to how the list is separated now and "Join with" to how you want it. To turn a spreadsheet column into one line, split on New line and join with Comma and space. Add a Trim step if the items have spaces around them.

Is the list uploaded anywhere?

No. Everything happens in your browser, and the list is gone when you close the tab. Your steps and separators are remembered on your own device so the tool opens the way you left it.