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To Filtering is a convenient and reliable way to locate and manage spreadsheet data. We can filter data using the AutoFilter feature in Excel 2007-2010 to display only the data that meets specified criteria. Filtered data can be copied, manipulated, and printed without having to move it to a new spreadsheet. Using AutoFilter, we can filter data by selecting criteria from a list, by numerical conditions, or by color. Here's how to use the AutoFilter feature in Excel 2007-2010.

In Excel 2007 or Excel 2010, if you're using an Excel Table, it has built-in filtering features. If your data is not in an Excel Table, follow these steps to add an Excel 2007 AutoFilter.

Select a cell in the database.
On the Excel Ribbon, click the Data tab, and then click Filter.

A dropdown arrow appears at the right side of each column heading.

Filter One Column

With the Excel Table, or Excel 2007 AutoFilter, in place, you can start filtering the individual columns. You can filter on just one column, such as Customer, or two or more columns.
For example, to filter for a specific customer, follow these steps:

Click the drop down arrow at the right of the Customer heading
In the list of Customers, click Select All, to remove all the check marks
Click the check box for the customer that you want to filter for, such as MegaStore.
Click OK, to see the filtered list.

In the filtered worksheet, you'll see some changes:

only the rows for the selected customer are visible -- the other customer rows have been hidden

the row numbers for the filtered rows are shown in blue font.

the drop down arrow in the Customer column has changed to a filter symbol, with a small arrow

Filter Two Columns

After you have filtered one column, you can refine the filtered results, by filtering two or more columns.
For example, after you filter for a specific customer, follow these steps to add a product filter:

Click the drop down arrow at the right of the Product heading.
Note: When another column is filtered, you might not see the full list of products -- you'll only see the products for the filtered records.
In the list of Products, click Select All, to remove all the check marks
Click the check box, or multiple check boxes, for the product(s) that you want to filter for, such as Bananas and Grapes.
Click OK, to see the filtered list.

Clear an Excel 2007 or Excel 2010 AutoFilter

After you have applied one or more filters, you can clear a specific filter, or all the filters in the Excel Table.

Clear a Specific Filter

To clear a specific filter, and leave other filters turned on:

Click the drop down arrow in the column heading where you want to clear the filter
Click on Clear Filter From [column name]

Clear All Filters

Instead of clearing a specific filter, you can clear all the filters from the Excel Table, in one step:

Select a cell in the table.
On the Excel Ribbon, click the Data tab, and in the Sort & Filter group, click Clear.
Note: This will also clear the Sort options that you have applied.

Filter for Blank Cells

If there are any blank cells in a column, the drop down list in the heading cell will show one additional item -- (Blanks) -- at the end of the item list.
To show only the rows with blank cells in that column, remove the check marks from the other items in the list.

Filter for Highest and Lowest Values

If a column contains numbers, you can filter to find the highest or lowest numbers that column. In this example, you'll filter for the 5 lowest values in the Total column.

Click the drop down arrow in the column heading, click Number Filters, and then click Top 10.
Note: If fewer than half of the values in the column are numbers, the Number Filters option will change to Text Filters
In the Top 10 AutoFilter window, select Bottom from the first drop down list.
In the second box, type 5, or use the arrows to change the number to 5
In the third drop down box, select Items, then click OK.

Note: The results are the highest or lowest values for the entire list, not the currently filtered list. If other columns are also filtered, you may see fewer than the specified number of items.

Filter for a Specific Date Range

If a column contains dates, you can filter to find a specific date or date range, or a dynamic date range. In this example, you'll filter for the orders received in January 2011.

Click the drop down arrow in the column heading, click Date Filters, and then click Between.
In the Custom AutoFilter dialog box, enter the starting date for the date range -- 01-Jan-2011 -- in the first date box
Enter the ending date for the date range -- 31-Jan-2011 -- in the second date box, and click OK

Filter for a Dynamic Date Range

If a column contains dates, instead of finding a specific date range, you can filter for a dynamic date range, such as Last Week, Next Month, or Tomorrow. In this example, you'll filter for the orders received in January 2011.

Click the drop down arrow in the column heading, click Date Filters, and then click Yesterday.
The filtered table shows only the orders that were received yesterday.

Update an Excel 2007 AutoFilter

When you open the workbook at a later date, the Excel 2007 AutoFilters don't refresh automatically. For example, if you used a dynamic date filter, such as Yesterday, the correct day's results won't show in the filtered table when you open the file the next day. (Note: You could create a macro to update the filter, and set it to run when the file opens.)
To see the updated filtered results, you can reapply the filter.

Select any cell in the filtered table
On the Excel Ribbon, click the Data tab, and in the Sort & Filter group, click Reapply.

This will update any dynamic filters in the table, and will also revise the results for any new or changed data.

Create a Custom Filter

Some of the Excel 2007 AutoFilter options in the drop down lists end with three dots, such as Begins With...

These filters, as well as the Custom Filter option, open the Custom AutoFilter window. In there, you can enter one or two criteria, to create a customized filter.

To filter for one criterion:

From the first dropdown list, select an option, such as "begins with".
In the text box, type a value, then Click OK.

In the screen shot below, the Custom Filter will find records where the customer name begins with "M".
clear all filters

To filter for two criteria:

From the first dropdown list, select an option, such as "begins with".
In the text box, type a value, then Click OK.
Select "And" or "Or" as the operator
From the first dropdown list, select an option, such as "ends with".
In the text box, type a value, then Click OK.

In the screen shot below, the Custom Filter will find records where:

the customer name begins with "M"
OR the customer name ends with "Shop".

How to Add a Filter in Excel 2007-2010