Datasheet

To filter the list by using the contents of some field, select (or open) the
drop-down list for that field. For example, in the case of the little work-
book shown in Figure 1-11, you might choose to filter the grocery list so
that it shows only those items that you’ll purchase at Sams Grocery. To
do this, click the Store drop-down list down-arrow button. When you do,
Excel displays a menu of table sorting and filtering options. To see just
those records that describe items you’ve purchased at Sams Grocery,
select Sams Grocery. Figure 1-12 shows the filtered list with just the
Sams Grocery items visible.
If your eyes work better than mine do, you might even be able to see a
little picture of a funnel on the Store column’s drop-down list button.
This icon tells you the table is filtered using the Store columns data.
To unfilter the table, open the Store drop-down list and choose Select All.
If you’re filtering a table using the table menu, you can also sort the
table’s records by using table menu commands. Sort A to Z sorts the
records (filtered or not) in ascending order. Sort Z to A sorts the records
(again, filtered or not) in descending order. Sort by Color lets you sort
according to cell colors.
Drop-down list boxes appear when you turn on AutoFiltering.
Figure 1-11:
How an
Excel table
looks after
using
AutoFilter.
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Part I: Where’s the Beef?
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