Unformats

To remove or reverse the formatting applied to something, such as text, a storage device, or a file. It entails stripping away specific styling attributes (bold, italics, font size, etc.) or deleting the structural organization imposed on data (file system structures, code indentation). The act of 'unformatting' restores something to a basic, unprocessed, or raw state. This is a crucial step in data recovery, cleaning up messy text, or resetting digital spaces for fresh data entry or storage use.

Unformats meaning with examples

• After receiving the heavily formatted report, the analyst needed to 'unformat' the document. She removed all font styles, spacing, and headers to isolate the raw data for statistical analysis. This allowed her to cleanly input information into her specialized data mining software, producing accurate findings and clear results. The original document's formatting was obscuring the core information.
• The IT specialist had to 'unformat' the corrupt hard drive before attempting data recovery. The damaged file system prevented access to any of the contained files. By stripping the drive of its logical structures, he aimed to rebuild the file system and regain access. Success hinged on his ability to safely recover the corrupted data.
• To prepare the code for a new software program, the programmer needed to 'unformat' the existing source files. All existing indentations and formatting conventions were removed, as the original style conventions were inconsistent with the project's style guide. By doing this, the source files could be readily adopted into the new project.
• Before importing the text from the web article, the student needed to 'unformat' the information by removing all HTML tags and unnecessary formatting characters. She copied the text into a plain text editor before pasting it into her research document. This was critical to ensure compatibility with the word processor and keep the project's aesthetic uniform.