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How do I clear a filter that came with an excel spreadsheet template?

Anonymous
2012-11-13T00:01:58+00:00

I am using a spreadsheet that was originally based on an excel template and came with several drop-down style filters across one of the rows. Now that I am changing the look and feel of the spreadsheet, I no longer need the filters and they drop downs are getting in the way. I can't seem to clear or delete them, and I'm guessing it's because the file is still designated as the template, even though it's been saved as different things over time and is no longer the original file. Is there a way to get rid of these, or revert the file back to a simple spreadsheet without the template formatting, while retaining all the other formatting that I have done? It would take a long time to copy and paste into a new, clean document, then get all my formatting back. I hope this all relatively clear. Wish I could post a pic.

Thanks!

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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  1. Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 435K Reputation points
    2012-11-13T21:32:50+00:00

    Well, the Clear Filter button in the Filter pane is inactive because there is no data & no filter is applied. That button only removes the filtering [i.e., restores the records] that has been applied on the column.

    If you want to turn the Filter feature off altogether click in the range then either

    1. Go to the Data tab of the Ribbon
    2. Click the big Filter button or
    3. Go to the Data menu
    4. Click Filter top remove the check

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-11-13T22:27:21+00:00

    Wow, that was ridiculously easy. I kept clicking the drop down arrow next to the large Filter button, but didn't realize that the big button would actually just turn it on/off. Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my tiny question!

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-11-13T20:05:31+00:00

    Hi Bob, Thanks for the quick reply. I've got a screen shot here: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/45814500/Screen%20Shot%202012-11-13%20at%2011.57.49%20AM.png

    It was originally an invoice template. I opened the menu that pops up when you click on one of the drop down arrows so you can see it. I can't find a way to get rid of the drop downs, and it won't let me delete the entire row, either. All of the "Clear Filter" buttons are greyed out when I try that. Any help would be appreciated!

    Thanks.

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  3. Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 435K Reputation points
    2012-11-13T12:46:13+00:00

    Re: "I can't seem to clear or delete them" -- Exactly what have you tried? Are you sure they are filters? Or do they provide Lists from which to select entries? Specifically what do these "drop-down" devices do?

    Once a file is generated from a template the template has no further influence on the file. Unless the template was designed with Protection of some sort, anything in the document file can be changed in any way, just like typical Excel worksheets. In order to get pointed in the right direction, though, it would help if you could better identify what you're actually dealing with.

    You can put a copy of the file or a screen shot on a cloud service such as Skydrive, Dropbox, etc. & provide a link to it here. Images can be included in these postings, but the procedure is more of a PITA :-)

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