BC Tip #10 - Filters and Filter Shortcuts
- Ben Cole
- Dec 15
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 15
Filtering is one of the simplest ways to get more done in Business Central. Applied across nearly every list view, filters let you narrow thousands of records down to the handful that matter. This guide covers fast keyboard shortcuts, manual filtering techniques, and a few practical tips to keep your lists clean and focused.
For a more in depth look at Filtering, Sorting, and Search Data Lists, check out Microsoft Learn for more time saving tips.
Table of Contents
Why filtering matters
When working with customer ledger entries, sales lines, or any list view, filtering saves time and reduces errors. Instead of scanning rows visually, filters let you target specific dates, customers, or statuses. Use them to find entries for a single posting date, to isolate one customer, or to show only open records for review. The rest of this article will highlight some of the best ways to use these filters in practice.
Quick filter: Alt + F3
The fastest way to filter is to select a cell in the column you care about and press Alt + F3. Business Central will filter the entire list to that exact value. For example, select a Posting Date cell and press Alt + F3 to see only entries from that date. This is known as Filter to this Value in Business Central.
Manual filtering from a column
If you prefer using the mouse, open the column dropdown and choose Filter to This Value. This does the same thing as the ALT + F3 keyboard shortcut and is helpful when you need to combine filters from multiple columns.
The filter pane: view and combine filters
Click the funnel icon in the top right to open the filter pane. This shows every filter currently applied and lets you add, edit, or remove filters manually. Combining filters—like a date filter plus a specific customer number—gives precise results.
In the filter pane you can:
Add new filters by selecting a field and entering criteria
Edit existing filters to broaden or narrow your results
Quickly change values such as switching a date range or a customer number
Removing filters and useful shortcuts
To clear filters and return to the full dataset, you have a few options:
Click the X next to the filter in the pane
Remove filters individually using the controls at the top
Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Alt + F3 to remove all filters at once
To quickly show or hide the filter pane, use Shift + F3. This helps keep your workspace tidy while you work through lists.
Practical examples
Select a Posting Date and press Alt + F3 to see all entries for that date.
Open the Customer No. dropdown and choose Filter to This Value to isolate one customer.
Open the filter pane and set Posting Date to 2025 and Customer No. to 112 to get a precise view across two criteria.
When you are done, press Ctrl + Shift + Alt + F3 to clear everything and start fresh.
Best practices
Combine filters to find exactly what you are looking for.
Use keyboard shortcuts (Alt + F3, Ctrl + Shift + Alt + F3, Shift + F3) to speed up repetitive tasks.
Check the filter pane before assuming data is missing; check your active filters to see what is being included in your current view.
Save common views if you repeatedly use the same filter combinations.
Other Helpful Filtering Tips
The below will show some of my most used filtering keystrokes. For an exhaustive list, please check out Microsoft Learn for more information.
Keyboard Shortcuts
SHIFT + F3 | Open and close the filter pane |
ALT + F3 | Filter to this Value |
SHIFT + ALT + F3 | Open filter, and filter to selected column |
CTRL + SHIFT + ALT + F3 | Clear all filters |
ALT + F7 | Sort Ascending/Descending |
Intervals
I use dates below as the example. But these can be used for ranges on dates, amounts, dimensions, entry numbers, and even text fields.
.. | used for a range |
1/1/2025..12/31/2025 | All dates between (and including ) 1/1/2025 to 12/31/2025 |
..12/31/2025 | All date up to (and including) 12/31/2025 |
12/31/2025.. | All dates starting with 12/31/2025 and into the future |
Either Or
1/1/2025 |12/31/2025 | Either/or - only shows data from 1/1/2025 and 12/31/2025 |
Greater Than, Less Than, or Equal To
Very similar to the intervals. Can be used on things like date ranges, amounts, and entry numbers.
<>1/1/2025 | All dates, except 1/1/2025 |
>1/1/2025 | All dates after 1/1/2025 |
<1/1/2025 | All dates before 1/1/2025 |
>1/1/2025&<12/31/2025 | All dates after 1/1/2025 and before 12/31/2025 |
Unknown Characters
* | use at the beginning or end of a range for unknown characters |
Best* | Shows Best Buy, Best Man, and Best Dressed |
*Best | Shows Personal Best, Sunday Best, and Next Test |
Best | Shows all of the above |
?est | Unknown Character - Returns Best, Rest, Vest, Nest, etc. |
Be?t | Unknown Character - Returns Best, Bert, Bent, and Beat |
FAQs
How do I filter quickly to the value in a selected cell?
Select the cell in the column you want to filter and press Alt + F3. The list will filter to that value. You can also manually select the column and click Filter to this Value.
Where can I see all active filters?
Click the funnel icon in the top right to open the filter pane and view, add, or edit active filters.
How do I remove all filters at once?
Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Alt + F3 to clear all filters and return to the full dataset. You can also manually click the X on any filter to remove it.
Can I filter using the mouse instead of keyboard shortcuts?
Yes. Click the dropdown on any column and choose Filter to This Value, or use the filter pane to add custom criteria.
How do I hide or show the filter pane quickly?
Press Shift + F3 to expand or collapse the filter pane on the left side of the screen. You can also click the funnel icon to show/hide the filter pane.
Ready to optimize your Business Central environment with guidance from a BC expert?
Contact Ben Cole at Ben@BenColeBC.com or (214) 433-0923.
Ben Cole is passionate about making Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central work smarter for real people—users and partners alike. With roots in public accounting, Ben’s seen firsthand how automation and clever solutions can transform the Business Central experience. He’s known for breaking down complex topics with a dash of wit and plenty of practical advice. If you want to get more out of Business Central (and maybe even enjoy the process), Ben’s your go-to guide.
(214) 433-0923
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