Excel is an essential tool for businesses and organizations worldwide. However, not many people are aware of the full potential of Excel, specifically its Slicer feature. Slicers have been around since Excel 2010 onwards, and they are gradually becoming more popular as they enable users to navigate through data quickly and efficiently. In this article, we will delve deeper into the Slicer feature and how it can be used to enhance your data analysis and visualization.
What is a Slicer in Excel?
A Slicer is a tool in Excel that enables the user to filter and segment their data in various ways. It is particularly useful when working with PivotTables and PivotCharts. Slicers provide a visual way to filter data, rather than using a drop-down filter or manually selecting each item.
Slicers are objects, and once you connect a Slicer to a PivotTable, it filters the data instantly. You can connect a Slicer to one or more PivotTables in the same workbook. When you click on a Slicer button, it filters the data in each associated PivotTable, making it an efficient way to analyze and navigate data.
How to Create a Slicer in Excel?
To create a Slicer in Excel, follow these steps:
1. Select the PivotTable you want to add a Slicer to.
2. Click on the Insert tab in the Excel Ribbon.
3. Click on the Slicer button in the Filters group.
4. Choose the category you want to filter by.
5. Click OK.
A Slicer will appear on the screen, and you can resize and move it to any location you prefer.
Types of Slicers in Excel
Excel offers various types of Slicers that you can use to filter your data, and these include:
1. Normal Slicer
A standard Slicer is a visual filter that can filter data by one or more categories simultaneously. Normal Slicers are easy to use and require no special configuration.
2. Timeline Slicer
A Timeline Slicer is a visual filter that focuses on dates and enables users to filter data by dates. If you have time-series data, a Timeline Slicer is the best option. Once you have created a Timeline Slicer, you can filter data by hour, day, month, quarter, or year. You can also set the start and end dates for your data.
3. Multiple Slicer
A Multiple Slicer is a visual filter that allows you to choose multiple items in a category. Once you have created a Multiple Slicer, you can filter data by multiple categories, making it easier to view and analyze data.
4. PivotChart Slicer
A PivotChart Slicer is a visual filter that works with PivotTables and PivotCharts. It enables you to filter data through a PivotChart.
How to Use Slicers in Excel?
Using Slicers is straightforward. Once you have created a Slicer, you can use it to filter data by selecting any item from the Slicer. Every item selected in the Slicer highlights in the PivotTable or PivotChart and filters the data in each associated PivotTable of the workbook.
Figuring out how to use Slicers in Excel can be challenging for some people. So, let’s take a look at some practical tips for using Slicers effectively:
1. Resize and Reposition Slicers
One of the most significant advantages of Slicers is that you can resize and move them anywhere in your workbook. This means you can easily position your Slicers near your chart or table so that you can view and analyze your data more efficiently.
2. Connect Multiple PivotTables to Slicers
Another advantage of Slicers is that you can connect them to multiple PivotTables in the same workbook. This way, you can filter all of the data in your workbook from one central location.
3. Use Slicers with PivotCharts
Slicers can also be used with PivotCharts. When you connect a Slicer to a PivotChart, you can easily filter the data in your PivotChart by clicking on the appropriate item in the Slicer.
4. Customize Your Slicer
You can customize your Slicer in various ways. For instance, you can change its color, size, shape, and font. You can also remove fields from the Slicer or add new ones.
5. Choose Your Slicer Type Wisely
Choosing the right Slicer type is crucial. For example, if you have time-series data, a Timeline Slicer is the best option for you. On the other hand, if you need to filter data by multiple categories, a Multiple Slicer is the way to go.
Slicer FAQ
Q1. Can I connect a Slicer to a Table?
Yes, you can connect a Slicer to a Table in Excel. To connect a Slicer to a Table, select the Table, click on the Insert tab, click on the Slicer button in the Filters group, and then choose the field you want to filter by.
Q2. Can I Use Slicers in Excel Online?
Yes, you can use Slicers in Excel Online. Excel Online has had Slicers available for use since 2015. You can follow the same steps to create a Slicer in Excel Online as in desktop Excel.
Video Tutorial on How to Use Slicers in Excel
Excel Slicers can be used to filter data in Excel tables and PivotTables, making data analysis and visualization more manageable. Here is a video tutorial that you can follow to learn how to use Slicers in Excel effectively:
Conclusion
Slicers are useful tools that enable Excel users to filter and navigate through data quickly and efficiently. By connecting a Slicer to a PivotTable or PivotChart, you can filter data instantly and analyze it efficiently. There are different types of Slicers in Excel, such as the normal Slicer, Timeline Slicer, Multiple Slicer, and PivotChart Slicer. By following the tips mentioned in this article, you can use Slicers in Excel more efficiently and benefit from their full potential.
