Filtering Data

AutoFilter temporarily hides rows that do not match — show only Science expenses, then clear to see all.

Governors ask "what did Science spend?" Filtering answers in two clicks without deleting seven other rows.

On NorthgateBudget.xlsx Expenses, James Okonkwo filters Department to Science before the lab equipment review — two rows (£185 bulbs + £610 workbooks) stay visible.

On Expenses, click a cell in the data (e.g. A1). Home tab → Editing → Sort & Filter → Filter.

(Alternative: Data tab → Sort & Filter → Filter.)

Dropdown arrows appear on each header cell in row 1.

Click the dropdown on Department (column B). Untick (Select All), then tick Science only. Click OK.

Expected result: Two rows remain — microscope bulbs and GCSE workbook. Row numbers may turn blue and skip (hidden rows).

Filtered-out rows are hidden — still in the sheet. Clear the filter to show them again. Filter never deletes data.

Find purchases over £300:

Clear the department filter first (Clear Filter From "Department"). Click the Amount dropdown. Number Filters → Greater Than… → type 300 → OK.

Expected result: Rows with £420, £610, £540, £350, and £299 remain (depending on exact threshold).

Combine filters: Science and over £300 leaves only the £610 workbook.

Click the Department dropdown again. Click Clear Filter From "Department" — or tick (Select All).

Expected result: All eight expense rows are visible again.

Data → Clear (or Sort & Filter → Clear) removes all filters at once.

If you filter to Science, save, and email the file, the recipient opens it — still filtered. They think only two purchases exist all year. Clear filters before sharing, or tell recipients to click Clear on the Data tab.

Filtered columns show a funnel icon on the dropdown. No funnel means no active filter on that column.

With Science filtered, select Amount cells — the status bar may show Sum for visible rows only (~£795). That is a quick check before building a PivotTable.