How to filter data in Google Sheets
Learn how to filter data in Google Sheets using column filters, filter by condition, and filter by values on the free plan.
Quick answer
To filter data in Google Sheets, select your data range, then click Data > Create a filter to add dropdown arrows to each column header. Click any arrow, choose filter by condition or values, set your criteria, and click OK. Only rows matching your criteria remain visible, and you can clear filters anytime.
Steps at a glance
- Select the data range you want to filter.
- Click Data menu, then choose Create a filter.
- Click the filter icon on a column header.
- Choose Filter by condition or Filter by values.
- Set your criteria and click OK to apply.
- Review filtered rows and adjust criteria if needed.
- Click the filter icon again and select Clear to reset.
Summary
Filtering in Google Sheets temporarily hides rows that don't match criteria you set, letting you focus on specific data without deleting anything. It's a free, built-in feature that works on any range and updates instantly when you change your conditions.
Step-by-step guide
Step 1
Select the range you want to filter
Open your spreadsheet in Google Sheets and click a cell inside the data you want to work with, or highlight the full range including header row. Google Sheets usually detects the surrounding data automatically, but selecting the exact range first prevents it from missing rows or columns.
Step 2
Turn on filtering for your data
Click the Data menu in the toolbar, then choose Create a filter. Small dropdown arrows appear in each header cell of your selected range. If you need a refresher on this exact step, see how to create a filter (/guides/google-sheets/create-a-filter) for a closer look at setup options.
Step 3
Filter by condition
Click the dropdown arrow on the column you want to filter, then select Filter by condition. Choose a preset like 'Text contains,' 'Date is after,' or 'Greater than,' enter your value, and click OK. Rows that don't meet the condition disappear from view immediately.
Step 4
Filter by specific values
Instead of a condition, you can select Filter by values from the same dropdown to see a checklist of every unique entry in that column. Uncheck the values you want to hide, or click Clear and then select only the ones you want to keep, then click OK.
Step 5
Combine filters across multiple columns
Repeat the process on additional columns to narrow results further — for example, filter by region in one column and by status in another. Filters stack together, so only rows matching every active condition remain visible. If you also want the visible rows in a specific order, you can sort a table (/guides/google-sheets/sort-a-table) after filtering.
Step 6
Clear or remove filters
To remove a single column's filter, click its dropdown arrow and choose Clear. To turn off filtering entirely, go back to the Data menu and select Remove filter, which restores every hidden row and removes the dropdown arrows.
Why this matters
You need this when you're staring at hundreds of rows of orders, survey responses, or expenses and only need to see the ones from a specific region, date, or status. Filtering lets you isolate that subset instantly, without touching your original data or building a separate sheet.
Frequently asked questions
Does filtering delete or change my original data?
No. Filtering only hides rows from view based on your criteria; the underlying data stays exactly as it was and reappears when you clear the filter.
Can I filter data imported from a CSV file?
Yes. Once you open csv file (/guides/google-sheets/open-csv-file) data in Sheets, you can select the range and apply filters the same way as any native spreadsheet data.
Is filtering available on the free Google Sheets plan?
Yes, standard filters and filter views are fully available on a free Google account with no premium features required.
What's the difference between filtering and sorting?
Filtering hides rows that don't match your criteria while keeping the rest in their original order, while sorting rearranges all visible rows by value. You can use both together for a more organized view.
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