Sometimes when you're working on a project on an Excel spreadsheet, you don't need to see all of the information. It often can be more helpful to only show a certain category of data. For example, if a corporation had a massive list of every order they have in the system, they may only need to see the pending ones - which is when it might be helpful to filter data.

Well luckily, Excel can help you temporarily hide all of the information you don't need – see below for instructions on how to filter the plethora of data on your spreadsheet. 

1. Start with a spreadsheet that has a header row for each column.

This browser does not support the video element.

   

​2. CTRL + A and select all of the data you want to filter.

This browser does not support the video element.

  

3. Click "Filter" in the ribbon of the "Data" tab.

This browser does not support the video element.

   

4. You will see that each header has a drop-down arrow. Choose what needs to be filtered by clicking the drop-down arrow by the header that contains the information needing to be filtered. Make sure the box next to the information you want displayed has a check mark by it, leaving the unwanted information without a check mark.

This browser does not support the video element.

   

​5. Click "Okay" and the unwanted information will be temporarily hidden. 

This browser does not support the video element.

   

Note: If you wish to take the filter off, simply click "Filter" on the ribbon to disable the previously set filter.

This browser does not support the video element.

If you have any other questions regarding Microsoft Office ribbon/menu items in Excel, please Contact Us – and don't forget to "Like" us on Facebook!"