Microsoft Excel offers abuilt-in filter featurealong with the option to use an advanced filter.

What Is the FILTER Function in Excel?

The syntax for the formula is

where only the first two arguments are required.

FILTER function basic formula in Excel

In each screenshot, you’ll see our filter results on the right.

This returns all results containing Electronics.

Here, we’ll use the data in cell B15.

FILTER function formula using text criteria

If you aren’t receiving any results for your formula or are seeing the #CALC!

error, you might use the third argumentif_empty.

For instance, we’ll display None if the result is blank.

FILTER function using a separate cell as criteria

You’ll include an operator forAND (*) or OR (+).

And theadvanced filterworks well for filtering by a criteria range in place or another location.

But for using multiple criteria and sorting at the same time, take the FILTER function for a spin.

FILTER function formula using number criteria

FILTER function formula with no results

FILTER function formula for multiple criteria using AND

FILTER function formula for multiple criteria using OR

FILTER function with SORT function in descending order

FILTER function with SORT function in ascending order