How To Clear Filters in Excel - A Comprehensive Guide
Nov 25, 2024
Do you need to clear filters in Excel?
Excel filters allow you to narrow down data in a worksheet to display only the rows that meet certain criteria. However, there are times when you need to clear these filters to view all your data again.
In this article, we’ll walk you through various methods to clear filters in Microsoft Excel, ranging from basic techniques to advanced solutions.
How To Identify Active Filters
Before clearing filters, you need to know if they are applied:
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Look for the funnel icon in the column header.
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Check the status bar at the bottom of the Excel window; it may indicate that a filter is active.
Different Ways to Clear Filters in an Excel Sheet
There are various ways to remove filters in Excel. We have explained each of them below:
1. Clearing filters from a single column.
If you only want to clear the filter on one column:
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Click the filter icon (funnel) in the header of the filtered column.
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Select Clear Filter from [Column Name] from the dropdown menu.
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The column will revert to showing all data.
2. Clearing all filters in a worksheet.
You can clear filters across the entire worksheet in two ways. They include:
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Using the ribbon:
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Navigate to the Data tab on the Ribbon.
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Click Clear in the Sort & Filter group.
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Using a keyboard shortcut:
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Press Alt + A + C.
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All filters will be removed instantly.
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3. Removing filter drop-downs entirely.
To remove filter drop-down arrows from column headers:
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Using the ribbon:
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Go to the Data tab.
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Click the Filter button to toggle off filters.
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Using a keyboard shortcut:
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Press Ctrl + Shift + L to toggle filters on or off. This will leave no filter drop-down arrow.
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4. Using VBA to clear filters.
Advanced users can automate the process using VBA (Visual Basic for Applications). If you can't write a VBA code, you can ask an AI tool like ChatGPT to write a code to clear all filters.
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Open the Developer tab (enable it from Excel settings if it’s not visible).
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Click Visual Basic and insert a new module.
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Copy and paste the following code:
Sub ClearAllFilters()
Dim ws As Worksheet
For Each ws In ThisWorkbook.Worksheets
If ws.AutoFilterMode Then ws.ShowAllData
Next ws
End Sub
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Run the macro to clear filters across all sheets.
Read more: How to use VBA codes in Excel.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Here are some issues you may encounter while clearing filters in Excel:
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Filters Nnt clearing: Ensure the worksheet is not protected.
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Merged cells: Merged cells can interfere with filtering. Unmerge them before applying or clearing filters.
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Hidden rows: Clearing filters does not unhide rows manually hidden.
Final Thoughts on "How To Clear Filters in Excel"
Clearing filters in Excel allows you to restore your data view. Whether you’re using basic methods or VBA for automation, the steps outlined here will help you achieve your goal. Practice these techniques to advance your Excel skills.
For more easy-to-follow Excel guides and the latest Excel Templates, visit Simple Sheets and the related articles section of this blog post.
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FAQ on "How To Clear Filters in Excel"
1. How do I know if filters are active in my Excel sheet?
Look for the funnel icon in the column header or check the status bar for a filtered data indicator. This confirms that filters are applied to your worksheet.
2. Can I remove filters without deleting the data?
Yes, clearing filters only resets the view to show all rows, leaving your data intact. Use the "Clear" button in the Data tab or the shortcut Alt + A + C.
3. How can I filter data in Excel?
To filter data in Excel, select your dataset and click the Filter button under the Data tab. Then, use the filter arrow in the column headers to choose criteria for filtering rows.
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