Step-by-step guide

How to filter data
in Excel

AutoFilter for quick manual filtering. FILTER function for dynamic results that update automatically.

EP
ExcelPro·Sep 11, 2026

Method 1 — AutoFilter (manual)

1
Click any cell in your data
2
Data → Filter (or Ctrl+Shift+L)

Dropdown arrows appear on every column header.

3
Click a dropdown arrow and choose your filter

Uncheck values to hide them, or use Number Filters / Text Filters for conditions like "greater than" or "contains".

AutoFilter hides rows visually — the data is still there, just hidden. Clear the filter to show everything again.

⚠️ Copy filtered data carefully

When you copy filtered data, Excel includes the hidden rows by default. Press Alt+; to select only the visible cells before copying.

Method 2 — FILTER function (Excel 365)

Returns a filtered copy of a range as a formula output. Original data stays untouched, and the output updates automatically when data changes.

=FILTER(A2:C100, B2:B100="North", "No results") -- Returns all rows where column B = "North" =FILTER(A2:C100, (B2:B100="North") * (C2:C100>1000), "No results") -- AND condition: North AND amount > 1000 =FILTER(A2:C100, (B2:B100="North") + (B2:B100="South"), "No results") -- OR condition: North OR South
💡 Combine FILTER with SORT

=SORT(FILTER(A2:C100, B2:B100="North"), 3, -1) filters to North region and sorts by column 3 descending — all in one formula.

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