+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 5 of 5

Filter for string in multiple columns

Hybrid View

yuzu Filter for string in multiple... 06-22-2013, 07:11 PM
FDibbins Re: Filter for string in... 06-22-2013, 07:22 PM
yuzu Re: Filter for string in... 06-22-2013, 07:49 PM
FDibbins Re: Filter for string in... 06-22-2013, 08:05 PM
newdoverman Re: Filter for string in... 06-22-2013, 08:48 PM
  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    06-22-2013
    Location
    NYC
    MS-Off Ver
    Excel 2011 for Mac
    Posts
    2

    Filter for string in multiple columns

    Hello there, new member, and I have a dilemma I hope someone can help me with.

    I am staffing an upcoming event with volunteers and I want to be able to a single volunteer across their various shifts and locations. However, I cannot guarantee that a particular volunteer will always be in the same column on my spreadsheet so AutoFilter doesn't do the trick. I've tried using Advanced Filter options as well, but I either can't seem to get it to work or it won't work with strings.

    I've attached a sample of the type of document I'm working in (genericized) so hopefully my below questions will make more sense.

    Ideally, I'd like to be able to be able to search/filter for Joe and see rows 2 and 3 appear. Is this possible?

    Additionally, I'd like to know who is also on shift together. For example, is there a way to search for Tony and Sarah together and have row 5 appear. I know that I can do this now with filtering column 2 and then 3, but the real document I'm using is over 800 rows long (very big event!) and using progressive filtering would take longer than I'd like.

    I hope what I'm asking makes sense and is not sounding too crazy! Please let me know if you have any suggestions or need more information.

    Thank you in advance for your help!
    Attached Files Attached Files

  2. #2
    Administrator FDibbins's Avatar
    Join Date
    12-29-2011
    Location
    Duncansville, PA USA
    MS-Off Ver
    Excel 7/10/13/16/365 (PC ver 2310)
    Posts
    53,048

    Re: Filter for string in multiple columns

    Hi and welcome to the forum

    Try this approach, using a helper column. In F2, copied down, use this...
    =COUNTIF(C2:E2,"Joe")
    OR you could enter Joe in F1 and then use this variation, to give you more flexibility...
    =COUNTIF(C2:E2,$F$1)

    Either way, filter on 1
    1. Use code tags for VBA. [code] Your Code [/code] (or use the # button)
    2. If your question is resolved, mark it SOLVED using the thread tools
    3. Click on the star if you think someone helped you

    Regards
    Ford

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Join Date
    06-22-2013
    Location
    NYC
    MS-Off Ver
    Excel 2011 for Mac
    Posts
    2

    Re: Filter for string in multiple columns

    Hi FDibbins, thanks for the quick reply and welcome!

    I thought about using a helper column, but I would need one for each of my volunteers, right? Unfortunately, I have over 50!

    The second formula you provide looks interesting. I haven't tried it, but it would recalculate the 1s in that column based on what name I entered into the top cell, right? That sounds more doable, but still time consuming. Is there any way that might not requie a helper column?

  4. #4
    Administrator FDibbins's Avatar
    Join Date
    12-29-2011
    Location
    Duncansville, PA USA
    MS-Off Ver
    Excel 7/10/13/16/365 (PC ver 2310)
    Posts
    53,048

    Re: Filter for string in multiple columns

    If you have more than 1 name that you want to INCLUDE in the filter, add an add() function into that formula

    And no, you would not need a helper for each volunteer

  5. #5
    Forum Expert newdoverman's Avatar
    Join Date
    02-07-2013
    Location
    Port Dover, Ontario, Canada
    MS-Off Ver
    2010
    Posts
    10,330

    Re: Filter for string in multiple columns

    Maybe something like this could help.
    Attached Files Attached Files
    <---------If you like someone's answer, click the star to the left of one of their posts to give them a reputation point for that answer.
    Ron W

+ Reply to Thread

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts

Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 RC 1