How to Remove Filters in Excel

Microsoft Excel is one of the most popular applications used by businesses and individuals worldwide. When working with large sets of data, utilizing filters can greatly simplify the process of finding and organizing information. However, filters can sometimes be a hindrance and may need to be removed to view all the available data. In this blog post, we will provide a quick and straightforward guide on how to remove filters in Excel.

Why Remove Filters in Excel?

Filters are an excellent tool to narrow down large data sets in Excel. However, sometimes you may need to see all of the data without any filters applied. For instance, you may have applied a filter to a sheet and now want to see everything or may have received data from a third-party source that has a filter applied. Whatever the case may be, removing filters in Excel is a straightforward process that takes only a few seconds to complete.

How to Remove Filters in Excel

Removing Filters Using Clear All Filters Option

The simplest method of removing filters in Excel is by using the Clear All Filters option. Here’s how to do it:

1. Select the filtered data by clicking on a cell in the table.
2. Go to the Data tab in the Excel ribbon.
3. Click on the Clear option in the Sort & Filter group. A drop-down menu will appear.
4. Click on Clear All Filters, and all filters applied to the data will be removed.

Removing Filters Using the Filter Drop-down Menu

You can also remove filters from a single column by using the Filter drop-down option. Here’s how to remove filters using this method:

1. Click on the drop-down arrow for the filtered column. The filter options will appear.
2. Click on Clear Filter From [Column Name].
3. The filter applied to that column will be removed, and all the data will be visible in the column.

Using Shortcut Keys to Remove Filters

Excel features several shortcut keys that make working with data much easier and quicker. The shortcut key for removing filters in Excel is Alt + A + C.

1. Select the cell or range of data that contains the filter.
2. Press the Alt key on your keyboard, then press A, then C. This will remove the filter from the selected data range.

Final Thoughts

Removing filters from data in Excel is a quick and easy process that can be performed multiple ways. Whether you want to clear multiple filters at once or remove filters from a single column, Excel provides several options to achieve this. Remember, removing filters does not delete any data from the sheet; it merely clears the filter applied to it.

When to Reapply Filters in Excel

After removing filters in Excel, your data may appear overwhelming and unorganized. You may need to reapply one or more filters to view data that meets specific criteria. To reapply a filter, you should follow the same steps that you used to apply the original filter. You can also navigate to the Data tab of the Excel ribbon and click the Reapply option in the Sort & Filter group.

How to Clear All Filters in Excel for Mac

The process of clearing filters in Excel is slightly different for Excel for Mac. Instead of clicking the Clear option in the Sort & Filter group, you need to click on the Filter icon in the Data tab and then choose Clear Filter from selection or Clear All Filters from[Worksheet Name] options. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Select the filtered data by clicking on a cell in the table.
2. Go to the Data tab in the Excel ribbon.
3. Locate the Filter icon and click on it.
4. Click on the Clear Filter from selection or Clear all filters from [worksheet name] option to remove the filters.

Excel Filter Best Practices

Filters are a great way of working with datasets in Excel, but they might not always give you the desired outcome. Here are some things you should keep in mind when working with filters:

• Always save a copy of the original dataset before applying filters.
• Ensure that your data is a clean and homogenous set.
• When using the color filters, avoid using light colors and apply contrasting colors to achieve better visibility.
• Be careful when working with rows or columns that contain merged cells, as Excel may generate erroneous rows when those cells are filtered.

Wrapping Up

Filters are an effective tool for finding and organizing specific data in Excel. However, there are times when you may need to remove them to see all of the data. In this post, we’ve provided you with three different methods for removing filters in Excel. We also shared some tips and best practices for working with filters. Now you are equipped with the knowledge to move forward and effectively manage data in Excel.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions related to removing filters in Excel:

What is the keyboard shortcut for removing filters in Excel?

The keyboard shortcut to remove filters in Excel is Alt + A + C.

Does removing filters in Excel delete data?

No, removing filters in Excel does not delete any data from the worksheet. It only clears the filters applied to the data.

How do I remove all filters in Excel at once?

You can remove all filters in Excel at once by selecting the filtered data and then clicking on the Clear All Filters option in the Data tab of the Excel ribbon.

Can I reapply filters after removing them?

Yes, you can reapply filters after removing them. Follow the same steps you used to apply the filters originally.

What best practices should I follow when working with Excel filters?

It’s important to save a copy of the original dataset before applying filters. Ensure your data is clean and homogenous, and be careful when working with merged cells. If using color filters, apply contrasting colors for better visibility.