The FILTER function allows you to narrow down a range of data to include only items that meet the criteria that you specify. The function creates a new range of data with the new, smaller output from the function. FILTER is often used with or instead of the SORT function when whittling down large amounts of data. FILTER is for reducing data and SORT is for, well, sorting it.
The filter function is typically accessed from the user menu, but it can also be typed into a cell just like any other function. Excel, the most popular spreadsheet program, only has it as a menu function.
Video Explanation
Purpose

Returns data from your specified source with only the criteria that you selected. Yes, it gets rid of what you don’t want.
Syntax
=FILTER(range,condition1,[condition2...])
Basic information about the inputs:
range
– The entire range of data that is to be filteredcondition1
– The criteria upon which the range is to be filteredcondition2...
– The optional additional criteria upon which the range is to be filtered
Examples
Tip: When using FILTER, start your formula in a cell that should be the upper left most cell for the output. This function writes the output in, below, and to the right of your starting point. The formula text will remain in the upper left cell and it can be changed.
Example 1
Using the FILTER function with one column of data. The first table is before the function is applied and the second is after.
A | |
1 | 2 |
2 | 5 |
3 | 3 |
4 | 3 |
5 | =FILTER(a1:a4,a1:a4<4) |
7 | |
8 |
A | |
1 | 2 |
2 | 5 |
3 | 3 |
4 | 3 |
5 | 2 |
7 | 3 |
8 | 3 |
Example 2
Let’s look at an example now of filtering a table with two columns of data using one condition.
A | B | |
1 | 2 | c |
2 | 5 | c |
3 | 3 | hh |
4 | 3 | c |
5 | =FILTER(a1:b4,b1:b4="c") |
|
6 | ||
7 |
A | B | |
1 | 2 | c |
2 | 5 | c |
3 | 3 | hh |
4 | 3 | c |
5 | 2 | c |
6 | 5 | c |
7 | 3 | c |
Example 3
Three columns of data filtered by two conditions.
A | B | C | |
1 | 2 | c | 3 |
2 | 5 | c | 2 |
3 | 3 | hh | 3 |
4 | 3 | c | 3 |
5 | =FILTER(a1:c4,b1:b4="c",c1:c4=3) |
||
6 |
A | B | C | |
1 | 2 | c | 3 |
2 | 5 | c | 2 |
3 | 3 | hh | 3 |
4 | 3 | c | 3 |
5 | 2 | c | 3 |
6 | 3 | c | 3 |
Live examples in Sheets
Go to this spreadsheeet for several examples of the FILTER function that you can study and use anywhere you would like.