XL5: AutoFilter Doesn't Filter Strings That Contain Operator

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 5.0

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, when you use the AutoFilter feature to filter a string in your list that contains an operator, such as an equal sign "=", the item is not filtered.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because, if your filter a string in your list that contains an operator (such as the equal sign "=", greater than sign ">", and less than sign "<") the operator is used as the filter comparison operator.

For example, if you filter the item "'=1" in your list, the item does not appear in your filtered list. Instead, if your list contains the value 1, this item appears in the filtered list. Otherwise, the filtered list does not display any items.

WORKAROUND

To filter an item that contains an operator in your list, use the Custom AutoFilter dialog box. For example, to filter the item "'=1" in your list, use the following steps:

   1. Select your list on the worksheet.

   2. From the Data menu, choose Filter, and then choose AutoFilter.

   3. From the filter drop-down list, select (Custom...).

   4. From the list of comparison operators, select =. From the list of
      your list values, select the "'=1" item. Choose OK.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Excel for Windows version 5.0c.

REFERENCES

For more information about the Custom AutoFilter Dialog Box, choose the Search button in Help and type:

   AutoFilter