What Are Excel Slicers

Microsoft Excel is a widely-used spreadsheet software that allows users to organize and analyze data in a simple and efficient way. One of the most useful features that users can utilize is Excel Slicers. Slicers are a powerful data filtering tool that enables users to easily filter and analyze data in Excel PivotTables, PivotCharts and Tables. Slicers can instantly filter data based on customized values and offer a more intuitive approach to data filtering compared to traditional filtering options. In this blog post, we will explore what Excel Slicers are, how they work, and why you should start using them today.

How Do Excel Slicers Work?

Excel Slicers are interactive controls that allow users to filter data within a PivotTable by simply clicking on predefined buttons. Each button represents a particular value or category associated with the data. When a user clicks on a slicer button, Excel updates the PivotTable, and it shows only the data that corresponds to the selected button. Notably, slicers can control the filtering within several PivotTables in a workbook. Slicers resemble checkboxes, and users can easily select or unselect a particular value.

How to Insert a Slicer in Excel

Inserting a slicer in Excel is a quick and straightforward process. Below are the steps to inserting slicers in Excel:

1. Select the PivotTable that you want to use the slicer on.
2. Navigate to the “Analyse” tab on the Excel ribbon, then select the “Insert Slicer” button.
3. In the “Insert Slicers” dialogue box that appears, select the field that you want to use as the basis for the slicer.
4. Click on “OK” to insert the slicer into the worksheet.

Benefits of Using Excel Slicers

Excel Slicers give you more control over your data and make it easier for you to interact with your data. Some of the benefits of using Excel Slicers include:

• Easy to use: Slicers are easy to set up and use, making data filtering less tedious and more interactive.
• Flexible data filtering: By selecting a slicer button, users can filter data quickly based on their requirements. Slicers provide an excellent way to visualize and filter large datasets on the fly.
• Customized filtering: Slicers allow users to customize filters based on specific criteria, which may make it easier for them to uncover insights into their data that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Tips for Using Excel Slicers Effectively

To use Excel Slicers effectively, you should consider the following tips:

• Grouping: You can group slicer buttons to allow a more efficient and intuitive data filtering experience.
• Formatting: You can format your slicers to match the color scheme of your worksheet or apply a theme to it.
• Protection: If you are sharing your worksheet or dashboard, ensure to protect your slicers from accidental deletion or uncontrolled alterations that may affect your data filtering process.

Using Slicers for Excel Tables

Excel Slicers are not only restricted to PivotTables; they work with Excel Tables, too. By using slicers for Excel Tables, users can easily filter data with just a few clicks of a button. You can follow the steps below to insert slicers for Excel Tables on your worksheet:

1. Select the Excel Table that you want to use the slicer on.
2. Go to the “Design” tab on the Excel ribbon and select “Insert Slicer.”
3. In the “Insert Slicer” dialogue box, select the field you want to filter and click on “OK.”
4. Excel will add the slicer to your worksheet and use it to filter your Excel Table.

Using Multiple Slicers for Advanced Data Filtering

By using multiple slicers, you can filter your data more precisely. For instance, you can filter data based on the date range, customer name, and category, giving you a composite representation of the data you’re analyzing. To use multiple slicers, follow these steps:

1. Select the PivotTable or Excel Table you want to filter.
2. Insert the first slicer and choose the value or category you wish to filter.
3. Insert another slicer and choose a different value or category to filter.
4. Repeat this process for as many filters as you want to use.

Managing Excel Slicers

Excel Slicers are easy to manage, and you can customize them in several ways. To manage your slicer effectively, you can refer to the following tips:

• Resizing: You can resize slicers according to your preference or overall worksheet design. To resize a slicer, select the slicer, then drag one of its edges to adjust its size.
• Aligning: You can align slicers with other objects on your worksheet to improve visuals. To align, select the slicer and choose the “Align” option located on the Drawing Tools tab.
• Formatting: You can customize slicers’ format by changing their color, font, or overall appearance to suit your worksheet design. To format a slicer, select it, right-click, and choose “Slicer Styles” to apply a new color scheme or theme.
• Clearing Filters: If you want to clear all the filters applied to the slicer, click on the “Clear Filter” button located beside the slicer.

Excel Slicers are a useful feature that can help users filter data easily and intuitively. By following the tips and tricks discussed in the article, you can maximize the power of slicers to help you analyze your data better. Happy Excel Slicing!

FAQs about Excel Slicers

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Excel Slicers:

Can I use Excel Slicers with PivotCharts?

Yes, you can use Excel Slicers with PivotCharts, but you need to enable the “Slicer Connections” option to link the slicer to your PivotChart. To do this, select your PivotChart, then go to the “Analyze” tab on the Excel ribbon. Under the “Filter” group, choose the “Insert Slicer” option, and select the fields to add as slicers to your PivotChart.

Can I create custom slicers in Excel?

Yes, you can create custom slicers in Excel by going to the “Options” tab on the ribbon. Under the “Insert Slicer” dropdown, select “Slicer Settings.” A dialogue box will pop up, where you can customize your slicer by choosing the slicer type, changing the slicer style, or specifying the slicer height and width.

Can I use Excel Slicers for filtering data based on dates?

Yes, you can use Excel Slicers for filtering data based on dates. By creating a date slicer, you can choose a particular date range to filter, or use a timeline slicer to filter data based on a specific time period.

How do I remove a slicer in Excel?

To remove a slicer in Excel, select the slicer first, then press the “Delete” button on your keyboard. Alternatively, you can right-click the slicer you want to delete, then select “Delete” from the drop-down menu.

Can I link a slicer to multiple PivotTables or Excel Tables?

Yes, you can link a slicer to multiple PivotTables or Excel Tables. By creating a slicer, you can use the “Slicer Connections” button to link the slicer to multiple PivotTables or Excel Tables on the same worksheet. With this feature, you can filter and analyze data across several data tables with just a few clicks.