How to create a filter in Google Sheets
Learn how to create a filter in Google Sheets to sort, hide, and analyze data quickly using the built-in filter tool on any free account.
Quick answer
Select your data range, then click Data > Create a filter (or the filter icon in the toolbar). Green filter icons appear in each header cell. Click any icon to sort the column or select specific values to display, hiding rows that don't match your chosen criteria instantly.
Steps at a glance
- Select the data range you want to filter.
- Click Data in the menu bar.
- Choose Create a filter from the dropdown.
- Click the green filter icon on a column header.
- Choose Filter by condition or Filter by values.
- Apply your criteria to hide non-matching rows.
- Click Data > Remove filter to turn it off.
Summary
Filters in Google Sheets let you temporarily hide rows that don't match specific criteria, making it easy to focus on relevant data without deleting anything. This built-in feature is available on every free Google account and works directly on your existing spreadsheet without creating new tabs or ranges.
Step-by-step guide
Step 1
Select your data range
Open your spreadsheet and click and drag to highlight the range of cells you want to filter, including the header row. If your data has a header row, Google Sheets will typically recognize it automatically once you turn on filtering.
Step 2
Turn on the filter
Click Data in the top menu bar, then select Create a filter from the dropdown menu. You can also click the filter icon (a funnel shape) directly in the toolbar. Small green filter icons will appear in the top-right corner of each header cell in your selected range.
Step 3
Open the filter menu on a column
Click the green filter icon in the header cell of the column you want to filter. A menu will open showing sorting options at the top, followed by Filter by condition and Filter by values tabs.
Step 4
Filter by condition
Click the Filter by condition tab and choose a condition from the dropdown, such as text contains, date is after, or greater than. Enter the value to compare against, then click OK. Rows that don't meet the condition will be hidden from view.
Step 5
Filter by specific values
Alternatively, click Filter by values to see a checklist of every unique value in that column. Uncheck any values you want to hide, or use Clear and Select all to quickly adjust your selection, then click OK to apply.
Step 6
Apply filters to multiple columns
Repeat the process on additional columns to combine multiple filter conditions at once. Google Sheets applies filters cumulatively, so a row must match all active column filters to remain visible.
Step 7
Remove the filter
When you're finished, click Data in the menu bar and select Remove filter, or click the filter icon in the toolbar again. This restores all hidden rows and removes the green filter icons from your headers.
Why this matters
Your sheet has hundreds of rows and you only need the ones that match — one region, one owner, one status. Deleting or manually hiding rows risks losing data you'll need later. A filter narrows the view without touching the underlying data.
Frequently asked questions
Is the filter feature free to use in Google Sheets?
Yes, filters are a core feature available to every Google Sheets user, including free personal Google accounts. No add-ons or paid upgrades are required.
Does creating a filter delete or change my data?
No, filters only hide rows from view based on your criteria. The underlying data stays intact and reappears as soon as you remove the filter or adjust the criteria.
What's the difference between a filter and a filter view?
A standard filter changes what everyone sees when they open the sheet, while a filter view lets you create a personal, saved filtered view that doesn't affect other collaborators' display of the data.
Can I filter data without a header row?
Yes, but Google Sheets works best when a header row is present since it uses those labels in the filter menu. Without headers, generic column letters will appear instead, which can make filtering less intuitive.
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