Can I hide columns instead of rows with a filter?

Hi BP.

The filter feature in Numbers is based on a data base model in which each row is a separate record and each column is a field in the records. You can use the filter to view a selection of records, but there isn't a means of applying a filter to display only specified fields in all records.

You can hide a single column, a contiguous group of columns, or a set non contiguous columns manually with not much trouble. Here's a brief example:

For whatever reason, I want to hide columns B, D and F of this table, leaving only columns A, C and E visible.

I start by clicking on a cell to activate the table and show the column and row reference tabs.

I then click on the reference tab for column B, press command then click on D, then on F, then release the command key.

With the three columns selected, I hover the pointer over one of the selected reference tabs (I chose D to keep the resulting menu within the bounds of the table), then choose Hide Selected columns from that menu…

…and get this result.

To unhide the hidden columns, go to any of the column reference tabs, click the v that opens the menu and choose Unhide all hidden columns.

Regards,

Barry

Simple answer, you cannot.

The filter functionality in all spreadsheet programs are based on the database concept where each row is a record, the columns are the Field headers. You would filter based on values in the field columns to eliminate or keep visible records (rows).

Jason