A Filter view is a saved filter (and sort) on a range that only changes what you see. Other people on the same sheet can keep their own views. That matters on shared FP&A workbooks where one analyst needs December-only rows while another reviews one department.

Why finance teams prefer Filter views

A regular filter applies to everyone looking at the sheet. Filter views let controllers, accountants, and operators slice the same transaction dump or trial balance without fighting over whose filter is “on.” Save named views for close, board prep, or entity review. For live QuickBooks actuals under those views, use LiveFlow FP&A.

How to create a Filter view

1. Select the data range (include a header row with unique names).

2. Go to Data → Filter views → Create new filter view.

3. Click the inverted-triangle icon on a column header.

4. Choose sort or filter criteria, then click OK.

Filter menu options you will use most

• Sort A → Z / Z → A: alphabetical order on that column.

• Sort by color: fill or text color (conditional formatting colors work; alternating colors do not).

• Filter by condition: text, date, or number rules (for example, “Text contains,” “Date is,” “Greater than”), or a custom formula.

• Filter by values: check or uncheck specific items in the list.

Save, switch, rename, duplicate, and delete

• Save: new Filter views save automatically.

• Switch: Data → Filter views, then pick a named view.

• Rename: with the view open, edit the Name box, use the gear → Rename, or Data → Filter views → Filter view options → Rename.

• Update range: edit the Range box, gear → Update range, or Filter view options → Update range.

• Duplicate / Delete: gear menu or Filter view options. Use Delete all filter views when you need a clean slate.

Filter vs Filter view

• Regular filter: everyone on the sheet sees the same filtered state; good for a quick shared slice.

• Filter view: only your view changes; you can save multiple named setups, share a URL for a specific slice, and use a temporary view on sheets where you lack edit access (temporary views are not auto-saved).

Sharing and collaboration tips

Yes, you can share a Filter view: open the view, copy the browser URL, and send it. Collaborators land on that named slice. Use Filter views whenever several people analyze the same close file at once so one person’s criteria do not hide rows for everyone else.

Why finance teams use LiveFlow

Filter views help a team interrogate one workbook without colliding. LiveFlow helps that workbook stay current. LiveFlow FP&A pulls live accounting data into Google Sheets so the range under your Filter view is not last week’s export.

CTA: Book a demo of LiveFlow FP&A for Google Sheets.