How to Filter Multiple Columns Simultaneously in Excel: 4 Methods

In the following dataset, you can see the ID Number, Sales Rep., Location, Product, and Sales columns. We’ll filter the results by multiple columns.

Dataset to create Excel Filter Multiple Columns Simultaneously

Method 1 – Using the Filter Option to Filter Multiple Columns Simultaneously in Excel

We will filter columns C and D to find the names that start with the letter A and whose location is USA.

Steps:

Select the header of the data table by selecting cells B4:F4 to apply the filter option.
Go to the Data tab.
From the Sort & Filter group, select the Filter option.

Applying Filter Option for Excel Filter Multiple Columns Simultaneously

Click on the Filter icon of column C.

Select the names that start with A and unmark the other names.
Click OK.

Click on the Filter icon of column D.

Mark USA and unmark the other locations.
Click OK.

Filtering Location USA for Excel Filter Multiple Columns Simultaneously

The dataset is now showing the data of names that start with A and that are present in the USA.

Method 2 – Using the Advanced Filter Feature to Filter Multiple Columns Simultaneously in Excel

We want to filter the names that start with A with the location USA. You can see these criteria in the Criteria box.

Criteria Table for Excel Filter Multiple Columns Simultaneously

Steps:

Go to the Data tab and, from the Sort & Filter group, select Advanced Filter.

Use of Advanced Filter Feature for Excel Filter Multiple Columns Simultaneously

In the Advanced Filter dialog box, select cells B4:F18 as List Range.
Select cells B22:F23 as Criteria range.
Select Copy to another location and select cell B26 in the Copy to box.
Click OK.

Here are the results.

Method 3 – Using OR Logic to Filter Multiple Columns Simultaneously in Excel

We need to filter column E by Book and column F by values greater than 15,000. You can see the criteria in the Criteria table.

Applying OR Function for Excel Filter Multiple Columns Simultaneously

Steps:

Add a column G named Filter to the dataset.

Enter the following formula in cell G5.

=OR(E5=$C$21,F5>$C$22)

Formula Breakdown

OR(E5=$C$21,F5>$C$22) → the OR Function determines whether any logical tests are true or not.
E5=$C$21 → is logical test 1
F5>$C$22 → is logical test 2
- Output: FALSE
Explanation: Since none of the logical tests are true, the OR function returns FALSE.

Press Enter.
Drag down the formula with the Fill Handle tool.

Using Fill handle tool for Excel Filter Multiple Columns Simultaneously

Select the header of the data table, i.e. cells B4:F4.
Go to the Data tab.
From the Sort & Filter group, select the Filter option.

Click on the Filter icon of column G to filter the values TRUE from column G.

Mark TRUE and unmark FALSE.
Click OK.

Filtering TRUE to Filter Multiple Columns Simultaneously

Here are the results.

Method 4 – Using the FILTER Function to Filter Multiple Columns Simultaneously in Excel

We will filter the dataset based on the location USA as shown in the Criteria table.

Use of FILTER Function for Excel Filter Multiple Columns Simultaneously

Steps:

Enter the following formula in cell B24.

=FILTER(B5:F18,D5:D18=D5,"")

Formula Breakdown

FILTER(B5:F18,D5:D18=D5,” “) → the FILTER function filters a range of cells based on criteria.
B5:F18 → is the array.
D5:D18=D5 → is the criteria
” ” → returns a blank cell when the criteria are not met.