Have you stumbled across Google Sheet’s tool called “Slicer”? This helpful feature lets you filter pivot tables, charts, and tables throughout your spreadsheet. In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll show you how to leverage each one of these tools.

Table of Contents

What Is The Slicer Tool in Google Sheets?
Adding & Using A Slicer in Google Sheets
How to Easily Customize Your Slicers
Bonus Slicer Options

What Is The Slicer Tool in Google Sheets?

We previously pointed out how you can easily use a slicer to filter out data. This is why you might be curious as to how this option is different than other filters that Google Sheets offers.

Well, the answer is simple. You can use a slicer to manipulate data quickly. This is because a slicer remains on your sheet with just a few simple buttons that you are able to filter over the table or chart attached to them.
Keep in mind, you cannot save any filter in Google Sheets for future use. However, you can save a filtered view in Sheets and then reuse it however and whenever you like.

A slicer also lets you set a default filter. This allows anyone and everyone with access to your sheet to see which filter has been used and applied as soon as they open the sheet. This is ideal for individuals who want to use a custom dashboard for themselves and their team.

Adding & Using A Slicer in Google Sheets

Armed with a better understanding of what a slicer does in Google Sheets, we can now take a look at how to use it and add it to your sheets’ menu.

1. Step 1. Start by selecting the chart or table that you’d like to apply the slicer to.
   In our example, we’ll use a pie chart so you can explore how to filter the data with this type of chart.
   Simply go to the menu and click on Data > Slicer
   
2. Step 2. Next, you’ll see the slicer—it looks similar to a floating toolbar.
   You can then move the slicer wherever you prefer on the sheet.
   You’ll then need to select a column to filter in the sidebar that pops up. Don’t see the sidebar? Try double-clicking the Slicer to open it up further.
   

3. Step 3. Explore the column labels for the data you used in your Column drop-down list.
   You should easily be able to select one and then it will be displayed on the slicer.
   
4. Step 4. Once there, you can click on the filter icon or check out the drop-down arrow on the slicer.
   From there, you are able to apply any filter you like to the column. With a click, you can see that the options available are quite a few, including filtering by condition, keywords within your text, or certain values. Alternatively, you can filter by value via deselecting the values you prefer not to explore, and then leaving the ones you do want to see, marked.
   
5. Step 5. Hit OK to then apply the filter you like.
   Once you do this, your data and chart will update accordingly immediately. Additionally, you can check out the number of items that are filtered on the slicer.
   Return here whenever you like to either change or clear out your filters as often as required.
   

How to Easily Customize Your Slicers

Another few ways you can simply customize your slicers include changing the data set, appearance, or filter column.
To do this, select your slicer, click the three little dots located at the top right, then click on Edit Slicer.


Once you do this, you’ll notice the Slicer sidebar pops up and shows tabs for both Data and Customize.

You can use the Data tab to edit the data range. You can also adjust the Column via the drop-down allowing you to pick another filter option.


Leverage the Customize tab to alter the font style, size, format, title, color, or background color.



Bonus Slicer Options

If you select the slicer and then choose the three little dots, you’ll get more actions you can take. This includes copying or deleting the slicer or setting the current filter as your default setting.


You can also add more than a single slicer to your data set. Why would you do this? Because you can adjust multiple filters to fit multiple columns of data for your table.


For a quicker, more convenient way to filter out your table or chart data, or keep your filter visible, simply explore the slicer tool in Google Sheets.