Keep It Clean: HubSpot’s Auto-Formatting

HubSpot’s new data formatting feature is here to save the day, and it’s about to make your CRM cleaner, smarter, and way less stressful to manage.

At NBH, we’ve seen it all: postcodes with emojis, names with random symbols, and phone numbers that look like someone’s cat walked across the keyboard. These little data gremlins might seem harmless, but they can wreak havoc on your workflows and insights. That’s why HubSpot’s latest update is such a game-changer.

What’s the Big Deal About HubSpot’s Auto-Formatting Tool?

HubSpot’s new point-of-entry formatting tool is like having a personal data bouncer standing at the door of your CRM. The second you edit or import data, it steps in to enforce the rules you’ve set. Want your Postal Code field to accept numbers only? Done. Sick of special characters sneaking into your City field? Toggle them out.

Here’s how it works:

• Set Your Rules: Define what’s allowed in each property. Numbers only? No special characters? You’re in control.
• Auto-Remove the Junk: Turn on the “automatically remove disallowed characters” option, and HubSpot will clean up entries as they’re added.
• Real-Time Formatting: Whether you’re importing data or editing it manually, the tool works instantly to keep your CRM tidy.

While it’s not yet available for mobile, forms, or workflows, this feature is already a massive leap forward in preventing messy data from entering your system in the first place.

Why Clean Data Matters

Let’s be real: no one wants to see a stray “$#@!” pop up in the middle of a business call. But the impact of messy data goes far beyond embarrassment. Inaccurate or inconsistent data can compromise reporting, break workflows, and waste time. By catching errors at the source, HubSpot’s auto-formatting tool saves you from hours of cleanup and ensures your CRM is always in top shape.

How to Get Started

Ready to see the magic in action? Here’s how to set up HubSpot’s auto-formatting tool:

1. Head to Your Property Settings: Navigate to the property you want to format.
2. Set Your Rules: Choose options like “allow numbers only” or “don’t allow special characters.”
3. Toggle On Auto-Removal: Let HubSpot do the heavy lifting by automatically removing disallowed characters.

For a step-by-step guide, check out HubSpot’s Knowledge Base article on property settings.

Why This Matters for Your Business

We believe strong data is the backbone of great decision-making. Whether you’re a small business or a global enterprise, clean, consistent data is what keeps your CRM running smoothly and your team focused on what really matters.

HubSpot’s auto-formatting tool isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have for anyone serious about scaling their business. By eliminating messy inputs at the source, you’re not just saving time—you’re setting your team up for success with better insights, smoother workflows, and fewer headaches.

Ready to Take Your CRM to the Next Level?

If you’re ready to wave goodbye to messy data and hello to a high-performing CRM, we’re here to help. At The 'Hood, we specialise in helping businesses get the most out of HubSpot, from setup to optimisation.

Check out our HubSpot services to learn how we can support your team, or get in touch with us directly to chat about your CRM goals.

Final Thoughts

HubSpot’s new auto-formatting feature is more than just a tool—it’s a step toward a cleaner, more efficient CRM that works for you, not against you. So set your rules, toggle on auto-removal, and let HubSpot handle the rest.

Because at the end of the day, your team deserves to focus on progress, not firefighting messy fields. And with HubSpot’s help, you can finally say goodbye to questionable characters—and hello to clean, reliable data.

Need help getting started? Check out HubSpot’s official guide to managing properties or reach out to us for a chat!