Advanced filtering by using functions only

Hi.
I have a column with 25 cells. Some of them are blanks (" "), others include names.
I need to filter only the ones with the names, and only the top 10, to another column, but i can't use advanced filtering, since I'm building a dynamic dashboard, and everything should be automatic. It sounds simple, but i can't figure it out.
Thanks ahead to all the helpers.
I'm adding an example.

Try:

=INDEX($D$2:$D$26,SMALL(IF(TRIM($D$2:$D$26)<>"",ROW($D$2:$D$26)-ROW($D$2)+1),ROWS($G$2:$G2)))

confirmed with CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER not just ENTER.

very much fashioned after NBVC's formula, just stops after 10th value...

EDIT: actually, NBVC's is better because of TRIM.

what do you mean by TOP 10 for string values, by the way? do you mean, FIRST 10?

@Nighteg: i have tried NBVC's formula and it works perfectly fine.

it is best to use a combination of the two formulae in J2:

=IFERROR(IF(ROWS($1:1)>10,"",INDEX(dbtbl,SMALL(IF(TRIM(dbtbl)<>"",ROW(dbtbl)-MIN(ROW(dbtbl))+1),ROWS($1:1)))),"")

confirmed with CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER (and not just ENTER) and then drag-fill down from there...

Originally Posted by Nighteg

Thanks a lot!!!
NBVC's formula just brings the first name 10 times.
icestationzbra's formula works perfectly. Now i just need to understand it

You did say

I need to filter only the ones with the names, and only the top 10, to another column,