If you’re wondering how to remove filter in Excel, you’re in the right place! Whether you applied filters and can’t see your full dataset or just want a clean view of your spreadsheet, removing filters is a quick fix that gets your full table back in sight. 💻 In this guide, you’ll learn step-by-step how to remove a filter in Excel, including keyboard shortcuts for Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu/Linux systems. Let’s dive in! 🚀
Why Remove Filters in Excel?
Filters are great for narrowing down large data sets to show only what’s relevant. But sometimes, after your analysis, you want to see all your data again. That’s when removing filters becomes essential. Removing filters ensures that no data is hidden, and you’re working with the complete worksheet view.
How to Remove Filter in Excel on Windows 🪟
✅ Using the Menu:
- Select any cell in your filtered table.
- Go to the Data tab in the top ribbon.
- Click on the Filter icon (it will turn off the filter).
⌨️ Keyboard Shortcut for Windows:
Alt + D + F + F
This handy shortcut toggles the filter off and on. If filters are active, it will remove them instantly.
How to Remove Filter in Excel on macOS 🍏
✅ Using the Menu:
- Select your filtered data.
- In the top menu, click on Data.
- Click again on Filter to disable it.
⌨️ macOS Shortcut:
Command (⌘) + Shift + F
Note: The effectiveness of this shortcut can depend on your Excel version.
How to Remove Filter in Excel on Ubuntu/Linux 🐧
Ubuntu users typically rely on LibreOffice Calc or Excel Online. Here’s how it works:
✅ LibreOffice Calc:
- Select the data range.
- Go to Data → AutoFilter to toggle off.
⌨️ Shortcut in LibreOffice Calc:
Ctrl + Shift + L
✅ Excel Online on Ubuntu:
- Open Excel Online in your browser.
- Click on the Data tab.
- Toggle the Filter button.
Remove Filter from One Column Only
If you only want to remove the filter from a specific column:
- Click the filter dropdown on that column.
- Choose “Clear Filter from [Column Name]”.
This keeps other filters in place and clears only the selected one.
Difference Between Turning Off Filter and Clearing Filter 🧠
- Clearing a Filter: Shows all data in a column but leaves the filter button active.
- Removing a Filter: Completely disables the filtering functionality and removes the buttons.
Why Can’t I Remove the Filter in Excel?
If the Filter option is greyed out, check for:
- Protected sheets: Unprotect it under
Review → Unprotect Sheet. - Shared workbooks: Filters are disabled in shared mode.
FAQs About Removing Filters in Excel
How can I remove all filters in Excel at once?
Click the Filter button on the Data tab again, or use the shortcut Alt + D + F + F (Windows) or ⌘ + Shift + F (macOS).
Will removing a filter delete any data?
No! It only unhides rows temporarily hidden by the filter. Your data is safe. ✅
What if I can’t see all data after removing filters?
Try selecting all rows and go to Home → Format → Hide & Unhide → Unhide Rows.
How do I know if a filter is still active?
Look for small filter icons (⏷) on column headers. If visible, a filter is still applied.
Can I undo filter removal?
Yes! Just hit Ctrl + Z or Command + Z to undo recent actions, including removing filters.
Final Thoughts: Excel Filters—In Your Control 🎯
Knowing how to remove filter in Excel is a simple yet powerful skill. Whether you’re cleaning up a dataset or preparing a report, this quick action ensures that you’re seeing your full data picture. With just a few clicks—or keystrokes—you’ll have a clear, unfiltered spreadsheet that’s ready for analysis or presentation. And now that you’ve mastered removing filters, why not explore Excel’s other data tools?
Complete List of Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
If you need help for Windows, you can find a whole list of all keyboard shortcuts here.
https://keyboard-shortcuts.org/
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