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How to filter column data by a certain prefix in Excel?

Author Sun Last modified

Suppose you have a column which includes some data with the same prefix, how can you filter column data by a specific prefix in Excel? In this article, I'll introduce some tricks on quickly handling this job.

Filter by a certain prefix with Filter function

Filter by a certain prefix with Super Filter functiongood idea3


Filter by a certain prefix with Filter function

In Excel, there are two methods to filter data based on a prefix using the Filter function.

Using Search box

1. Select the data and click Data > Filter.
A screenshot showing the Filter option in the Data tab of Excel

2. Then click the Filter icon to expand the drop-down list, in the Search box, type the prefix you want to find from the data range, then click OK.
A screenshot showing the search box in Excel's Filter drop-down menu

Now the data has been filtered by the certain prefix.

A screenshot showing unfiltered data in Excel Arrow right A screenshot showing filtered data based on a specific prefix

Note: This method will filter all cells containing the specified prefix. In other words, if you add the prefix text amount or behind the cell content, this method will also filter the cell too.

Using "Begin With" filter

1. Select the data and click Data > Filter.

2. Then click the Filter icon to expand the drop-down list, click Text Filters > Begins With.
A screenshot showing the Text Filters and Begins With options in Excel

3. Then in Custom AutoFilter dialog, type the prefix you use in the textbox.
A screenshot showing the Custom AutoFilter dialog box in Excel

4. Click OK.


Filter by a certain prefix with Super Filter function

If you have Kutools for Excel, its Super Filter function not only can filter by certain prefix, but also can filter by month, case, length, and so on.

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1. Click Kutools Plus > Super Filter.
A screenshot showing the Kutools Super Filter option in Excel

2. Check Specified checkbox, and select the data you use in the Super Filter pane.
A screenshot showing the Super Filter pane with the specified data range

3. Specify the filter criterion you use in the pane, click Filter.
A screenshot showing how to apply a filter criterion in the Super Filter pane

Now the data has been filtered.

Note: You can save this filter condition as a scenario for quick application in the future.
A screenshot showing the option to save a filter condition in Kutools for Excel       A screenshot showing a saved filter scenario in Kutools for Excel

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Demo: Filter by a certain prefix with Super Filter function

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