How to filter data table by rows instead of columns?

How do I make it so Column A has the filter button? When I insert data into a table, the filter button runs across the first row of data (when I check "This table has headers"). Can I do this for the first column instead? I am using Excel 2010. Thanks in advance!

For example:

Name	John	Jane	Bob
Age	30	32	35
Gender	M	F	M

Thanks for the tip.

The main reason why I want to filter by row is because there will be numerous columns (possibly A-AC) and not nearly as many rows (possibly 1-8).

Originally Posted by Olly

That still doesn't make any sense.

In tables, Excel treats columns as fields, rows as records. When you structure your data that way, it's really easy to work with.

Whilst it is, eventually, possible to work with a transposed table like you're suggesting, it makes everything so much harder. As you're already discovering.

It doesn't really matter whether you have more records or fields - the structure is still FAR easier to work with when done as I describe.

I see. Are there any alternatives?

The ideal result is to filter the "Name" cell and have the option to reveal 1 individual and then I can just scroll down to see the corresponding data rather than scroll sideways to review the entries.

	A	B	C
1	Name	Bob	John
2	Age	30	32
3	Gender	M	M
4	Weight	sample data	sample data
5	Height	sample data	sample data
6	Country	sample data	sample data
7	State	sample data	sample data
8	City	sample data	sample data
9	Mailing Address	sample data	sample data
10	Billing Address	sample data	sample data
11	Contact Phone	sample data	sample data
12	Contact Email	sample data	sample data
13	Company	sample data	sample data
14	etc.	sample data	sample data
15	etc.	sample data	sample data
16	etc.	sample data	sample data
17	etc.	sample data	sample data
18	etc.	sample data	sample data
19	etc.	sample data	sample data
20	etc.	sample data	sample data
21	etc.	sample data	sample data
22	etc.	sample data	sample data
23	etc.	sample data	sample data
24	etc.	sample data	sample data
25	etc.	sample data	sample data
26	etc.	sample data	sample data
27	etc.	sample data	sample data
28	etc.	sample data	sample data

(entries go beyond 28).

Originally Posted by Olly

If you just want to SEE the corresponding data for filtering ONE field, then there are several reasonably straightforward options (a separate HLOOKUP table, a loop of code to hide non-matching columns, etc).

I want to see the corresponding data for one field (I understand that field = column, and in this example, ONE field would be only Bob or only John or only Jane, etc.).

Originally Posted by Olly

If you want to do more than just view records for one filtered name, then it gets correspondingly more complex.

However, the data for each field will be updated on an ongoing basis so technically I will need to do more than just "view records." For the sake of this example, Bob's city might change so I will need to change that eventually.

Originally Posted by Olly

Which approach are you strongest with, formulas or VBA?

I am stronger with formulas as I have 0 experience with VBA.

Thanks for taking the time to help me with this.

Originally Posted by Olly

Okay. The bad news is that there really isn't a non-vba way of applying such a filter and then being able to change the data.

And, with all respect, I am really quite reluctant to begin developing some VBA which you will be unable to understand enough to adapt or support.

I would once more urge you to transpose the table to use the native filtering capabilities.

Understandable.

Once I transpose the table and use the native filtering capabilities, is there a way to incorporate a Pivot Table as a solution to my problem? I don't have much experience with that, but after fiddling around with it, I'm wondering if it this is a possible alternative.

Originally Posted by popipipo

Take a look at this.

I downloaded this. What is it it's supposed to do?..