Tip of the week # 426
31 July 2014

Fast filtering (Excel 2010-2013)

Do you know what you don't know? I don't! Even though I've been using Excel version 2010 for ages and have done various "What's new in Office 2010" rollouts I was still using old habits when it came to filtering data in a list. OK, I use the new date, text and number filters and the PivotTables slicer (I don't think I ever wrote a tip about these, so watch this space) but it wasn't until one of my course participants pointed out the Search box that I realised I missed a trick.

Here's how:

1. Click on the down arrow at the right side of the heading's list box.
2. Click in the Search box (or press ENTER seven times ;) and start typing your search term.
3. Press ENTER.

Thanks, Stuart! This sure beats CTRL + F and right-clicking the cell to filter. I now not only use this fast filtering in Excel lists, but also in PivotTables!