Office Settings & Configuration

How to Keep 'Add Current Selection to Filter' Selected in Excel

Camila Milosovich Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know how to keep the 'Add current selection to filter' checkbox checked by default when working with filters in Excel.

How to Keep 'Add Current Selection to Filter' Selected in Excel

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Filtering multiple specific criteria successively in a large spreadsheet.
Observed behavior: Excel does not offer a default preference to keep this option selected, requiring the user to manually check the box every time they append a new filter selection.

Before you start

Ensure your data is formatted as a continuous table without blank rows, and that standard Data filters are already applied to your column headers before attempting to append new filter criteria.

Solution 1Recommended

Manually Select the Option During Filtering

Since Excel lacks a built-in default setting for this behavior, the standard solution is to check the box manually when adding new criteria to an active filter.

Microsoft Excel requires manual confirmation when appending to a filter to prevent users from accidentally hiding or exposing data unexpectedly. This remains the most straightforward method without relying on custom code.

Open the filter menu

Click the filter dropdown arrow on the column header where you have an existing filter applied.

Search for new criteria

Type your new search term in the search box located inside the filter dropdown menu.

Check the append box

Tick the checkbox labeled 'Add current selection to filter' that appears directly beneath the search bar.

Apply the filter

Click 'OK' to combine your new search selection with the previously filtered data.

Manually Select the Option During Filtering

Visibility of the Checkbox: The 'Add current selection to filter' checkbox will only appear if you actively type something into the search box while an existing filter is already active on that column.

Solution 2

Use VBA to Automate Repeated Filtering

If you frequently need to apply multiple filter criteria at once, you can use a custom VBA macro to bypass the manual checkbox entirely.

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Experience Seamless Data Filtering in WPS Office

If Excel's rigid default settings slow down your workflow, consider using WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free spreadsheet alternative that easily handles complex filtering, sorts large datasets, and offers high compatibility with your existing Excel files.

1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer for your operating system.
2. Open your Excel File: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing .xlsx document directly without any format conversion.
3. Apply Advanced Filters: Navigate to the Data tab, click 'AutoFilter', and enjoy fluid data manipulation just as you would in Excel.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats, including .xlsx, .xls, and .csv.Intuitive AutoFilter capabilities to manage and analyze large datasets seamlessly.Familiar ribbon interface ensures a smooth transition with zero learning curve.Completely free to use with a lightweight installation that won't slow down your device.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make 'Add current selection to filter' the default behavior in Excel?

No, Microsoft Excel does not currently provide a built-in preference, toggle, or setting to keep this option checked by default. You must manually check the box every time you append a new selection.

Why is 'Add current selection to filter' missing or not showing up?

This option is conditionally displayed. It only appears when you actively type a search term into the filter menu's search box on a column that already has an active filter applied.

Does WPS Spreadsheet support appending filter selections?

Yes, WPS Spreadsheet offers robust filtering tools that match Excel's functionality. You can easily search for specific data points and use the interface to append new selections to your currently filtered view.

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