Auto Filter in Excel

[Nick Wells]

When I try to turn the filter on on some spreadsheets, the drop down
arrows do
not show up, however, the "tick" indicating filters are on under Data
does appear. This is not confined to a particular workbook/s
and can happen one day and not the next.

 

[Ragdyer]

This *may* be a little bit like allowing XL to choose your sort range ...
DON'T allow XL to *guess* at ANYTHING!

Choose your sort range AND choose your headers for filtering..

If your headers are in a different format then the data (bold, larger -
different font), XL *probably* will pick up on where to look.
Also, a lot could depend on exactly which cell is selected at the time that
you invoke the filter.

I usually name (and then select) the headers on WSs that I tend to filter
often.

 

[Dave Peterson]

I read your message saying that the arrows don't appear on the screen sometimes.

I've had (still have!) this problem. Sometimes minimizing/maximizing the
worksheet window will help. Sometimes minimizing/maximizing the application
window helps.

Sometimes removing the filters and reapplying help.

Sometimes closing and reopening the workbook (and closing and restarting excel)
works.

And sometimes nothing works.

One of the last times this happened at work the "victim" emailed me a copy.
When I opened that copy, I could see the dropdown arrows. I saved it and
emailed it back. He could see them in the return email.

We both use win2k and xl2k.

So, my response is, aggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhh!

(I have no idea why it happens or what can fix it (consistently!).

 

[RagDyeR]

Can you *actually* remember this happening Dave, if you *selected* the
header row before starting?
--

Regards,

RD
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please keep all correspondence within the Group, so all may benefit !
--------------------------------------------------------------------

I read your message saying that the arrows don't appear on the screen
sometimes.

I've had (still have!) this problem. Sometimes minimizing/maximizing the
worksheet window will help. Sometimes minimizing/maximizing the application
window helps.

Sometimes removing the filters and reapplying help.

Sometimes closing and reopening the workbook (and closing and restarting
excel)
works.

And sometimes nothing works.

One of the last times this happened at work the "victim" emailed me a copy.
When I opened that copy, I could see the dropdown arrows. I saved it and
emailed it back. He could see them in the return email.

We both use win2k and xl2k.

So, my response is, aggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhh!

(I have no idea why it happens or what can fix it (consistently!).

 

[John BK]

I have noticed in my work in excel that it does not always do the bes
job of displaying any sort of graphic. The arrows are probably there
just hidden, click where they should be and it should come up. If not
I have no idea really.

As far as the large file situation. The only way I know of is to brea
the original file down into smaller files and then import it

 

[Dave Peterson]

I think that this problem is different than what you're answering--well, it is
for me.

I can apply data|filter|autofilter to a selected range and the arrows just don't
appear.

It's not that they are appearing on some and not others--they just don't appear
at all.

If I go back to Data|filter, I can see that the autofilter is checked.

I think it's more of a display problem. But I don't know how to consistently
fix it.

Sometimes, I'll copy the data to a new worksheet/workbook and apply the filter
and they'll show up.

It's really infuriating.

 

[RagDyer]

Have you tried clicking in the header row where an arrow is *supposed* to
be?
--


Regards,

RD
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please keep all correspondence within the Group, so all may benefit!
-------------------------------------------------------------------

I think that this problem is different than what you're answering--well, it
is
for me.

I can apply data|filter|autofilter to a selected range and the arrows just
don't
appear.

It's not that they are appearing on some and not others--they just don't
appear
at all.

If I go back to Data|filter, I can see that the autofilter is checked.

I think it's more of a display problem. But I don't know how to
consistently
fix it.

Sometimes, I'll copy the data to a new worksheet/workbook and apply the
filter
and they'll show up.

It's really infuriating.

 

[Debra Dalgleish]

Geez, I bet Dave's never thought of doing that!

Have you tried clicking in the header row where an arrow is *supposed* to
be?

 

[RagDyer]

Since there was no <g>, I *sincerly* hope that I didn't offend Dave anywhere
near as much as it appears I offended you, Debra.
--


Regards,

RD

 

[Dave Peterson]

I have, too!

The button doesn't appear even with that.

I can even select one of those header cells and hit alt-down arrow and
(sometimes???) see the dropdown list. But no arrows!

But it won't let me select it to modify the filter criteria.

 

[Dave Peterson]

Nah, I'm not offended.

Since there was no <g>, I *sincerly* hope that I didn't offend Dave anywhere
near as much as it appears I offended you, Debra.
--

Regards,

RD

 

[Ragdyer]

Have a HAPPY HOLIDAY Dave!
Have a HAPPY HOLIDAY Debra!