Bottom line: Learn how to apply filters for blank cells with VBA. Includes examples for filtering blanks and non-blank cells using the AutoFilter method.
Skill level: Intermediate
Download the File
The Excel file that contains the code can be downloaded below. This file contains code for filtering different data types and filter types. Please see my article on The Ultimate Guide to AutoFilters in VBA for more details.
Filter for Blank Cells
Filtering for blanks is one very common task we do in Excel. Sometimes that means scrolling down a long list of items in the filter drop-down menu to select the (Blanks) check box at the bottom.
We can also filter for non-blanks cells by unchecking the (Blanks) box.
The following macro contains examples for filtering for blanks and non-blank cells (excluding blanks). Please see my post on The Ultimate Guide to Filters in VBA for more details on how to use the AutoFilter method and its parameters.
VBA Code Samples for Text Filters
The code in the box below can be copy/pasted into the VB Editor.
Sub Blank_Cells_Filter()
‘Apply filters to include or exclude blank cells
Dim lo As ListObject
Dim iCol As Long
‘Set reference to the first Table on the sheet
Set lo = Sheet1.ListObjects(1)
‘Set filter field
iCol = lo.ListColumns(“Product”).Index
‘Blank cells – set equal to nothing
lo.Range.AutoFilter Field:=iCol, Criteria1:=”=”
‘Non-blank cells – use NOT operator <>
lo.Range.AutoFilter Field:=iCol, Criteria1:=”<>”
End Sub
Filters & Data Types
The filter drop-down menu options change based on what type of data is in the column. We have different filters for text, numbers, dates, and colors. This creates A LOT of different combinations of Operators and Criteria for each type of filter.
I created separate posts for each of these filter types. The posts contain explanations and VBA code examples.
- How to Clear Filters with VBA
- How to Filter for Text with VBA
- How to Filter for Numbers with VBA
- How to Filter for Dates with VBA
- How to Filter for Colors & Icons with VBA
The file in the downloads section above contains all of these code samples in one place. You can add it to your Personal Macro Workbook and use the macros in your projects.
Please leave a comment below with any questions or suggestions. Thanks! 🙂
Hi Jon, this is very helpful, thanks!
I have question: how to output the range of cell value after filter the data. for example: after filter the blank cells, I got a range A82:A85 have blank cell, cell value is 80 for A82 which is start number of blank cell value, and 83 for A85 which is end number of blank cell value.(the number between 80 and 83 are continual , like 80,81,82,83) I want to output both number (80 and 83) to another sheet with column title “start number blank cell” and “end number blank cell”. Please advise, and really appreciated your help! ~irea
Hey Maria,
Great question!
There are a few ways to go about this. One easy way is to copy and paste the visible cells only. We can use the SpecialCells method for this to reference the visible (filtered) cells only.
The following line will copy the visible cells only in the filtered range. You can change the range reference “A2:A85” to your ENTIRE filtered range, NOT just the visible rows after the filter is applied.
Sheet1.Range("A2:A85").SpecialCells(xlCellTypeVisible).Copy Sheet2.Range("A1")I hope that helps.
Hi, Jon!
Is it possible to write a macro, which will add blanks to already applied filters? I have a filtered range (not a table) and when applying a filter I need manually add blanks to a filter to add new data inside that range. So I would like to have a button, which will add “(Blanks)” to any filtered item.
Hi, it gives me a error 9 “Subscription out of range” 🙁
how would this code be used to cover multiple sheets that need to have blanks removed ?
I have one question. I have to write the VBA code for multiple filter with different column. But i can able to apply 2 filter only.
Something to be careful about with this: both the “(Blanks)” checkbox in the filter GUI and using Criteria1:=”=” in VBA also treat cells containing only spaces and formulas which return an empty string “” as blanks!
It is probably fairly rare that just a bunch of whitespace characters are valid data, but using this method WILL include your formulas – critical if you’re planning to delete, clear, or overwrite these “blanks” you’ve just filtered for!