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How to Create and Use Filter in Google Sheets

Do you need to analyze a spreadsheet with a huge amount of data? Well, it will be a great challenge especially if you are not a big fan of numbers. To make things easier, you can make use of the Filter function available in Google Sheets to view the data only you want to see.

In this post, let’s see how to create and use a filter in Google Sheets.

Create a New Filter in Google Sheets

Though you can make use of filters to analyze any massive spreadsheet, let’s go with a simple example. Let’s say you are analyzing a spreadsheet that contains the details of a person’s workout with fields like distance, duration, pace, timestamp, etc.

sample google sheet with workout data

And, you need to find out the days on which the person has covered the minimum distance of the workout plan. (eg. 3 miles )

Now, let’s see how to create a filter to do this.

Open the Google Spreadsheet file on your computer.

Select the columns A(Date), B(Time), and C(Distance Miles).

There are two options to create a filter. After selecting the columns, click the menu Data and select Create a filter from the list of options.

create filter google sheet from Data menu

Or you can click the Filter button in the toolbar.

create filter google sheet from toolbar

Now, you will see a filter icon in the top cell of every column you had selected.

filter created screen google sheet

Related: How to Hide Columns in Google Sheets

Filter By Condition

In our example, we want to see the days on which the person has covered a distance of at least 3 miles. Since we are interested in viewing only the data that satisfies certain criteria, we have to use Filter by condition.

Click the Filter icon on column C and then click Filter by condition.

google sheet filter options

Here, if you click on the arrow, you will see many conditions listed like the one below.

google sheet filter by condition menu options

Go ahead and select the option Greater or equal to and type the number 3 in the provided box.

filter by condition example google sheets

Finally, click the OK button.

Now, you will see the workout data only for those days during which the person covered the minimum distance.

filtered data by condition google sheets

Related: How to Wrap Text in Google Sheets Cells to Show Full Text in Google Sheets

Filter By Value

In our example, let’s say you want to check out the days on which the person has completed the workout in the morning. In the sheet, you can see that column D(Type) has either one of the values: Morning Run, Afternoon Run, Evening Run, and Night Run. Let’s see how to use the Filter by Value option.

Select columns A to D and create a filter.

Then, click the Filter icon on Column D and select the option Filter by values.

Here, you can see a tick mark for all the values. Since we are interested only in the morning run, deselect all other values and click the OK button.

filter by value example google sheet

Now, the sheet will show the data only for the morning run.

filtered data by value google sheet

Save Filter View in Google Sheets

Sometimes, you might need to use more than one filter in a sheet for analysis. In such scenarios, it will be better to save the filter view and use it whenever needed.

Let’s say you are viewing the filtered data. To save this view, click Data.

Then click Filter views > Save as filter view.

save filter view google sheet

Here, you will see a black border around the cells with two fields Name and Range. In the Name field, enter a name for the filter view. The range indicates the cells that will be used for filtering the data. Make sure you have selected all the cells/columns that are required.

That’s it. Now, the filter view has been saved successfully and you can use it whenever you need.

add name for filter view

To reuse the saved view, click Data > Filter views. You can see the list of all filter views you had created. If you click on a particular view, then that filtered view will be applied to the current Google sheet you had opened.

access saved view google sheets

Related: How to Change Cell Color in Google Sheets Based on Value

If you share a Google Sheet with others, they will get access to the filters as well. This will come in handy when you are analyzing the sheet with a group of people.

Disclosure: Mashtips is supported by its audience. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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