How to Filter by Number in Excel

If you frequently work with data in Microsoft Excel, filtering is likely a common task that you need to perform. Filtering is an essential feature that allows you to sort through large sets of data to find specific information quickly, without having to manually search through each row. One effective way to filter data in Excel is by using the number filters option. By applying number filters to columns that contain numerical data, you can quickly find information within specific value ranges or based on specific criteria that you define. In this post, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to filter by number in Excel, enabling you to quickly find the data you need.

Step 1: Select Your Data

The first step in filtering by number in Excel is to select the data that you want to filter. This can be a single column or a range of columns that contain numerical data. Simply click and drag your cursor over the cells that you wish to filter. If you have a large set of data, you can click the column header to select all cells in that column.

Step 2: Open the Number Filters

With your data selected, navigate to the “Data” tab on the Excel ribbon. Locate the “Filter” option and click the arrow to open the filter dropdown menu. From the dropdown menu, select “Number Filters.”

Step 3: Choose Your Filtering Criteria

Once you have opened the “Number Filters” dropdown, you will see a list of options to choose from. Depending on your specific needs, you can select any of these filtering options:

Equal To

Select this option to filter for data that is equal to a specific value. You will be prompted to enter the desired value in the following dialog box.

Greater Than

Select this option to filter for values that are greater than the specified value. You will need to enter the desired value in the following dialog box.

Less Than

Select this option to filter for values that are less than the specified value. Again, you will enter the desired value in the dialog box.

Between

The “Between” option allows you to filter for values that fall within a specific range. When you select this option, you will be prompted to enter the range in the following dialog box.

Top 10

Select this option to view the top 10 highest or lowest values in your data set. You can choose whether to view the highest or lowest values, and the number of values to include.

Step 4: Apply Your Filter

After selecting your filtering criteria, click ok to apply your filter. Your data will now be filtered based on your selected criteria. You can adjust your filter or remove it entirely by using the filter dropdown menu as needed.

Summary

Filtering by number in Excel is a simple and effective way to sort through large sets of numerical data. By using the “Number Filters” option, you can quickly find information based on specific value ranges or criteria. With the step-by-step instructions provided above, you can easily filter your data with confidence, knowing that you have the skills needed to quickly find the information you need.

Tips for Using Number Filters in Excel

Filtering by number is a great way to make sense of large data sets, but there are some tricks and tips that can make the process quicker and easier.

Use Wildcards for Searching

If you want to filter for values that contain a specific number or string of text, you can use wildcards for your search. You can use an asterisk (*) to represent any number of characters, or a question mark (?) to represent a single character. For example, you could use the filter “*3” to quickly find all values that end with the number 3.

Combine Multiple Filters

Excel allows you to combine multiple filters to refine your results even further. You can do this by selecting the “And” or “Or” operator in the filter dialog box. Using the “And” operator means that all conditions must be met for a value to be included, while the “Or” operator means that a value can meet any of the conditions you specify.

Filter by Color

If you have color-coded your data, you can also use Excel’s filtering feature to filter by color. Simply click the filter drop-down menu and select “Filter by Color,” and choose the specific color you are interested in filtering by.

Filtering by number in Excel is a powerful and flexible feature that can help you quickly find the information you need in large sets of data. By following the steps outlined above and experimenting with additional tips and tricks, you can become a filtering pro in no time.

FAQs

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions related to filtering by number in Excel:

Can I filter by number within a specific range of cells?

Yes, you can filter by number within a specific range of cells by selecting the desired range before navigating to the filter options. This will ensure that only cells within the selected range are filtered as needed.

Can I filter by more than one criterion?

Yes, you can filter by multiple criteria at the same time by using the “And” or “Or” operators in the filter dialog box. This allows you to refine your search even further to find information that meets all of your specified conditions.

What if my data set is too large to manually scroll through?

If your data set is too large to navigate easily, you can use the “Find” feature in Excel to search for specific values within your data set. Simply type in the value you are looking for, and Excel will highlight all relevant cells within your data set. From there, you can filter those specific cells as needed.

Can I filter data based on specific formatting or colors?

Yes, Excel allows you to filter by specific formatting or colors by using the “Filter by Color” option. By selecting this option from the filter menu, you can filter for cells that have specific background colors or font colors applied.

Can I save my filtered data for later use?

Yes, you can save your filtered data for later use by creating a new sheet that only contains that filtered data. Simply select all of the filtered cells, right-click on them, and choose “Copy.” Then, navigate to a new Excel sheet and paste the cells in as needed. This new sheet will contain only the filtered data that you have selected, which you can save and use later on as needed.