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Courses/Office Productivity/MS Excel

Filtering and Slicing Excel Data

Transform overwhelming lists into clear insights by mastering Excel’s static and dynamic filtering tools. Learn to isolate critical data efficiently using slicers, tables, and formulas.

Created byDavid Ringstrom
5.0
(2 reviews)
IntermediateUpdated Jan 28, 2026
Filtering and Slicing Excel Data

What You'll Learn

check_circleMaster Excel filter buttons and shortcuts.
check_circleUse slicers to filter Excel tables visually.
check_circleDeploy the dynamic FILTER worksheet function.
check_circleApply advanced criteria and filter by color.
check_circleCalculate accurate totals for filtered data.
check_circleFilter and sort PivotTables and PivotCharts.

About This Course

Manage and analyze your spreadsheets more effectively with this comprehensive course titled Filtering and Slicing Excel Data. Led by Excel expert and CPA David Ringstrom, this presentation guides users through the essential techniques required to take massive lists of data and collapse them down to exactly what needs to be seen in a given moment. Whether you are working with unfamiliar datasets or routine reports, mastering these tools allows you to gain a bird's eye view of your information without the overwhelm of endless scrolling.

The course begins by exploring the fundamental Filter feature, a tool that has been a staple in Excel for decades. David explains how to apply criteria to individual columns, manage filter buttons, and utilize keyboard shortcuts to speed up the process. Beyond the basics, you will learn how to overcome common pitfalls, such as calculating accurate totals for filtered data using the SUBTOTAL function rather than standard SUM functions, ensuring your analysis remains accurate even when rows are hidden.

As the session progresses, the focus shifts to modernizing your workflow by converting standard lists into Excel Tables. This section highlights the power of Slicers, a visual tool described as a remote control for filters, which allows for faster and more intuitive data navigation. You will also discover advanced techniques, including the use of wildcard criteria, filtering by color, and deploying the dynamic FILTER worksheet function available in newer versions of Excel to create automated, formula-based solutions.

Key topics covered in this course include:

  • Mastering the basics of the Filter feature to quickly sift through large lists and isolate specific data points.
  • utilizing the AutoFilter command and customizing the Quick Access Toolbar to filter data with a single click or keyboard shortcut.
  • Understanding the nuances of the SUBTOTAL function to create accurate ad hoc totals that respect filtered rows.
  • Transforming data ranges into Excel Tables to unlock automatic formatting, total rows, and the Slicer feature.
  • Using Slicers to visually filter data and viewing the status of multiple criteria simultaneously.
  • Applying Advanced Filter techniques to create complex criteria ranges directly on the worksheet.
  • Implementing the FILTER worksheet function to build dynamic arrays that update automatically as data changes.
  • Identifying and removing blank rows efficiently to maintain data integrity.
  • Utilizing top-bottom rules and sorting options within Pivot Tables and Pivot Charts to highlight key performance metrics.

This course is designed for users of Microsoft 365 Excel for Windows, though many concepts apply to Excel for Mac as well. By the end of this presentation, you will have a robust set of tools to reduce manual clicking, automate data analysis, and present your findings with clarity and precision.

Your Instructor

David Ringstrom
David Ringstrom

CPA, Author, Professional Excel Spreadsheet Trainer and Consultant

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star1,099 reviews

David H. Ringstrom, CPA, is the author of Microsoft 365 Excel for Dummies, and a nationally recognized instructor who has taught over 2,500 live webinars. His Excel courses are based on over 30 years of consulting and teaching experience. David’s catchphrase is “Either you work Excel, or it works you,” so he focuses on what he sees users don’t, but should know about Microsoft Excel. His goal is to empower you to use Excel more effectively. David has authored or co-authored 10 books, including Exploring Microsoft Excel's Hidden Treasures, QuickBooks Online for Dummies, and Idiot's Guide to Introductory Accounting.

Credit Information

Do these courses count toward my professional development requirements?

This portal is provided as a training and development resource for City of Markham employees. Every course is delivered by a qualified subject matter expert or learning organization, is quantifiable in hours, and is verifiable — you receive a documented certificate of completion for every course you finish, stored on LearnFormula indefinitely.

If you hold a professional designation (for example in engineering, accounting, human resources, or law), courses may be counted as professionally relevant, verifiable learning activities toward your continuing professional development. Individual practitioners are responsible for confirming that an activity meets the requirements of their professional body. For questions about the City of Markham's training and development policies, please speak with your people leader or Human Resources.

What Students Are Saying

5.0
Student's Choice
2 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

We are a registered provider with 327+ associations and regulatory bodies worldwide. We operate across 29 global markets including Canada, the US, Australia, and the UK. Every course page clearly displays its specific accreditations. Upon completion, you receive a professional certificate that can be validated online. Our certificates include all necessary accreditation details, credit hours, and completion dates, and are formatted specifically to meet the submission requirements of most global regulatory bodies.