Filter
The Excel FILTER function is used to extract matching values from data based on one or more conditions. The output from FILTER is dynamic. If source data or criteria change, FILTER will return a new set of results. This makes FILTER a flexible way to isolate and inspect data without altering the original dataset.
Syntax
=FILTER(array,include,[if_empty])- array – Range or array to filter.
- include – Boolean array, supplied as criteria.
- if_empty – [optional] Value to return when no results are returned.
Examples
FILTER used to return multiple criteria
In this case, we’re using the multiplication operator (*) to return all values in our array range (A5:D20) that have Apples AND are in the East region: =FILTER(A5:D20,(C5:C20=H1)*(A5:A20=H2),””).
FILTER used to return multiple criteria and sort
In this case, we’re using the previous FILTER function with the SORT function to return all values in our array range (A5:D20) that have Apples AND are in the East region, and then sort Units in descending order: =SORT(FILTER(A5:D20,(C5:C20=H1)*(A5:A20=H2),””),4,-1)
In this case, we’re using the FILTER function with the addition operator (+) to return all values in our array range (A5:D20) that have Apples OR are in the East region, and then sort Units in descending order: =SORT(FILTER(A5:D20,(C5:C20=H1)+(A5:A20=H2),””),4,-1).
Notice that none of the functions require absolute references, since they only exist in one cell, and spill their results to neighboring cells.
