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How to filter multiple columns in excel using the same auto filter?

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    How to filter multiple columns in excel using the same auto filter?

    I have an excel spreadsheet with multiple word-values over 6 columns.

    These values are not necessarily the same per column, but the same value could be in A1 and B3 and C6, but I want a filter to include all instances.

    For example, 4 people's fruit preference:

    Arnold: Apples; Bananas; Oranges
    Berty: Apples; Oranges; Pineapple; Cherries; Mango
    Charlie: Oranges; Mango; Papaya
    Drew: Pineapple; Bananas; Cherries; Oranges

    Now if I want to filter by Oranges, consider they are in A4, B2, C1 and D4, how do I create a filter that will do that for me (and all the other fruits to boot)

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    Re: How to filter multiple columns in excel using the same auto filter?

    Hi moonshinems and welcome to the forum,

    You can do this with an Advanced Filter using the OR option. That puts Oranges in different rows in the criteria range. I don't think you can do it with an Auto Filter.

    Look at the "AND vs OR" section on this link: http://www.contextures.com/xladvfilter01.html
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    Re: How to filter multiple columns in excel using the same auto filter?

    Thank you very much!

    In which case is there any way of setting up a series of simple dropdowns or similar so that people who haveno idea how to use advanced filters can simply select 'Oranges' or 'Mangoes' and it applies that already-created advance filter? To save other people using the file hassle...

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    Re: How to filter multiple columns in excel using the same auto filter?

    Hi,

    There are VBA tricks using Events and Dynamic Named Ranges and Advanced Filters to hide all the OR functionality in your problem. BUT - to use them correctly leads to more problems than I think they solve. If you teach those end users how to use Advanced Filters it will be transferable knowledge to other tables and problems using Excel.

    NOW - if you were to attach a sample file with the data design as you have it and how you want it to look, we could do a much better job in trying to answer your question.
    To attach a file click on "Go Advanced" below the message area and then on the Paper Clip Icon above the advanced message area.

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    Re: How to filter multiple columns in excel using the same auto filter?

    It's basically a cheap way of getting around buying a database system, and teaching the end user is out of the question sadly.

    Attached is a sample from the data (editors in publishing houses, and the genres they buy) - data is over 800 entries long, really need a way to filter by genre (spread over 6 columns)

    I got an error trying to upload to the forum, so I have uploaded to Megaupload: https://mega.co.nz/#!nYFllBJB!0rX0lX...mHH5tGwB5Ix_UQ

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    Re: How to filter multiple columns in excel using the same auto filter?

    Just bumping this to see if I can get an answer.

    Elsewhere, someone suggested using MATCH, but that throws up an error message...

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