When using Filter, the most common questions fall into 3 areas: filter range, result display, and restoring data; this section answers 3 common questions.
FAQ
Why don’t I see drop-down arrows after I tap Filter?
- Make sure you are working in a spreadsheet file and have selected the rows, columns, or cell range you want to filter.
- Check whether the selected range includes a header row instead of only an unrelated single cell.
- Tap Filter again in the bottom toolbar and check whether arrows appear next to the column headers.
Can data in hidden rows or columns be filtered?
- If the current filter range contains hidden rows or columns, that data is not shown in the filter results.
- If you want to filter the full dataset, unhide the related rows or columns first.
- Run the filter again, then review the results by content, color, or search condition.
Does filtering delete the original data?
- No. Filtering only hides rows that do not match the current condition.
- If you want to restore all data, clear the current filter conditions or turn Filter off.
- After that, the original records appear in the worksheet again.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Filter | A feature that shows rows matching specific conditions and hides the others. |
| Ascending/Descending | A way to reorder the current column from low to high, high to low, or in alphabetical order. |
| By Content | Filtering data based on text, numbers, or matching values in cells. |
| By Color | Filtering marked data based on cell fill color. |
| Visible to everyone | A setting in a collaborative worksheet that controls whether the current filtered result is visible only to you or also to other viewers. |