How To Create Filter In Excel: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool that can be used to manage data efficiently. One of the most useful features of Excel is the ability to filter data. Filtering allows you to display only the data that meets specific criteria, making it easier to analyze and work with. In this article, we will discuss how to create filter in Excel step by step.

Sample 1: Filtering Data by Date

Suppose you have a large data set that contains information about sales over several years. You may want to filter the data by date to view sales for a specific time period. Here’s how to do it:

1. Select the column that contains the dates you want to filter.
2. Click on the “Filter” button in the “Sort & Filter” group on the “Data” tab.
3. Click on the drop-down arrow in the column header and select “Date Filters.”
4. Select the date range that you want to filter by, such as “Last Month” or “This Year.”
5. Click “OK” to apply the filter.

Sample 2: Filtering Data by Text

If you have a large data set that contains text data, you may want to filter the data by specific words or phrases. Here’s how to do it:

1. Select the column that contains the text you want to filter.
2. Click on the “Filter” button in the “Sort & Filter” group on the “Data” tab.
3. Click on the drop-down arrow in the column header and select “Text Filters.”
4. Select the filter criteria, such as “Contains” or “Begins With.”
5. Enter the text you want to filter by in the box.
6. Click “OK” to apply the filter.

Sample 3: Filtering Data by Number

If you have a large data set that contains numerical data, you may want to filter the data by specific numbers or ranges. Here’s how to do it:

1. Select the column that contains the numbers you want to filter.
2. Click on the “Filter” button in the “Sort & Filter” group on the “Data” tab.
3. Click on the drop-down arrow in the column header and select “Number Filters.”
4. Select the filter criteria, such as “Equals” or “Greater Than.”
5. Enter the number or range you want to filter by in the box.
6. Click “OK” to apply the filter.

Tips for Creating Filters in Excel

Here are some tips to help you create filters in Excel more efficiently:

• Use the “AutoFilter” feature to quickly filter data by selecting a cell in the data range and pressing “Ctrl+Shift+L.”
• Save your filter criteria as a custom view to quickly apply the same filter in the future.
• Use the “Clear Filter” button to remove filters and show all data.
• Combine filters by selecting multiple criteria in the drop-down menu.

FAQ: How to Create Filter in Excel

1. How do I remove a filter in Excel?

To remove a filter in Excel, click on the “Filter” button in the “Sort & Filter” group on the “Data” tab, and then click on “Clear Filter.”

2. How do I sort data after applying a filter in Excel?

To sort data after applying a filter in Excel, select the column you want to sort by, and then click on the “Sort A to Z” or “Sort Z to A” button in the “Sort & Filter” group on the “Data” tab.

3. How do I apply multiple filters in Excel?

To apply multiple filters in Excel, select the first criteria from the drop-down menu, and then select the second criteria from the second drop-down menu that appears.

4. How do I filter data by color in Excel?

To filter data by color in Excel, click on the “Filter” button in the “Sort & Filter” group on the “Data” tab, and then select “Filter by Color.”

5. How do I save a filter in Excel?

To save a filter in Excel, apply the filter criteria you want to save, click on the “View” tab, and then click on “Custom Views.” Click “Add” to create a new view, and then enter a name for the view.

6. How do I filter data by multiple columns in Excel?

To filter data by multiple columns in Excel, select the first column you want to filter, apply the filter criteria, and then select the second column you want to filter and apply the second criteria.

7. How do I use wildcards in Excel filters?

To use wildcards in Excel filters, select “Text Filters” from the drop-down menu, and then select “Contains,” “Ends With,” or “Begins With.” Enter the wildcard character (*) in the box to represent any number of characters.

Tags

Excel, Filter, Data Management, Spreadsheet, Tips, Tutorial, FAQ, Sorting, Custom Views, Wildcards