How to create a filter view in Google Sheets
Learn how to create a filter view in Google Sheets to sort, filter, and analyze data privately without changing what collaborators see in the file.
Quick answer
To create a filter view in Google Sheets, select your data range, then click Data in the menu, hover over Filter views, and select Create new filter view. Adjust the range if needed, click each column header's filter icon to set conditions, then click outside the filter to save your personalized view automatically.
Steps at a glance
- Select the data range you want to filter
- Open the Data menu and choose Filter views
- Click Create new filter view
- Adjust the range boundaries if needed
- Set filter conditions using column header icons
- Name your filter view for easy access
- Click the X to save and close the view
Summary
A filter view in Google Sheets lets you sort and filter data without changing what other people see when they open the same spreadsheet. It's especially useful when several people are viewing or editing a shared file, since each person can apply their own filter view independently.
Step-by-step guide
Step 1
Select the data range you want to filter
Click and drag to highlight the range of cells you want included in your filter view, or click a single cell inside your dataset and let Google Sheets detect the range automatically. Make sure your header row is part of the selection so column names appear correctly when you set filter conditions later.
Step 2
Open the Data menu
Click Data in the top toolbar menu, then hover over Filter views in the dropdown list. A submenu will appear showing options to create a new filter view or open any filter views you've already saved.
Step 3
Click Create new filter view
Select Create new filter view from the submenu. Google Sheets will switch into filter view mode, shown by a dark gray toolbar and a default name like 'Filter 1' at the top of your sheet, and add filter icons to each column header in your selected range.
Step 4
Adjust the filter range if needed
If the highlighted range doesn't match the data you want to filter, click the range indicator at the top of the filter view bar and type in the correct rows and columns, or drag the blue range handles on the sheet itself. This step matters if your dataset has extra columns you want to exclude, similar to how you'd manage ranges when you /guides/google-sheets/create-a-filter.
Step 5
Set filter conditions on your columns
Click the filter icon (a small triangle) in any column header to open its condition menu. Uncheck values you want to hide, or use the Filter by condition or Filter by values options to narrow results, the same logic used when you /guides/google-sheets/filter-data across a sheet.
Step 6
Name your filter view
Click the default name at the top of the filter view bar and type a descriptive title, like 'Q3 Sales Only' or 'My Review.' A clear name makes it easy to find and reopen the same view later, which matters if multiple people with /guides/google-sheets/share-edit-access are working in the same file.
Step 7
Save and exit the filter view
Click the X in the top-right corner of the filter view bar to close it. Your conditions are saved automatically under the name you gave it, and the sheet returns to its normal, unfiltered appearance for anyone else viewing the file.
Why this matters
You're sharing a spreadsheet with a team and need to sort or narrow down rows for your own analysis, but you don't want to disrupt the view for anyone else looking at the same file. Filter views solve this by letting you save personal, non-destructive views others can't see.
Frequently asked questions
Can other people see the filter view I create?
No, filter views are private by default. Other collaborators viewing the same spreadsheet won't see your applied conditions unless you specifically share a link to that filter view with them.
Is creating a filter view free in Google Sheets?
Yes, filter views are available on any free Google account with access to Google Sheets. No upgrade or paid subscription is required to create, save, or share them.
How is a filter view different from a regular filter?
A regular filter hides rows for everyone viewing the spreadsheet, while a filter view only changes what you see and can be saved for later reuse. You can create multiple filter views on the same sheet without affecting anyone else's display.
Can I share a specific filter view with someone else?
Yes, while a filter view is open, copy the URL from your browser's address bar and send it to another person with access to the file. Opening that link will load the sheet with the same filter view applied.
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