XL2000: How to Remove Individual AutoFilter Drop-Down Lists

In Microsoft Excel 2000, you can programmatically hide an AutoFilter drop-down list for a specific field in a list by using a new argument for the Visual Basic for Applications AutoFilter method.

This article includes a sample Visual Basic macro that hides drop-down lists in a list to which you apply an AutoFilter.

NOTE: The only way to hide individual drop-down lists in a list to which you apply an AutoFilter is to use the AutoFilter method in a macro; you cannot manually hide the drop-down list.

Syntax for the AutoFilter Method

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For more information about the support options that are available and about how to contact Microsoft, visit the following Microsoft Web site:http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS Use the following syntax for the AutoFilter method where <expression> is an expression that returns a Range object. <Expression> is required for the AutoFilter method. The following table lists the optional arguments for the AutoFilter method and the descriptions for the arguments.

Sample Macro

1. Save and close any open workbooks, and then create a new workbook.
2. In the new workbook, type the following data in Sheet1:

      A1: Name   B1: Area   C1: Amount
      A2: Bob    B2: East   C2: 1
      A3: Sue    B3: West   C3: 2
      A4: Bill   B4: East   C4: 3
      A5: Mary   B5: South  C5: 4
   					

3. Start the Visual Basic Editor (press ALT+F11).
4. On the Insert menu, click Module.
5. In the module, type or paste the following code:

   Sub Hide_Dropdown()
   
       'Apply an AutoFilter to the list and hide the drop-down list
       'for the second field.
   
       Range("A1").AutoFilter field:=2, Criteria1:="East", _
           Visibledropdown:=False
   
   End Sub
   					

6. Run the Hide_Dropdown macro.
7. Switch to Microsoft Excel (press ALT+F11).

The list in Sheet1 is filtered, and the visible cells are displayed as follows: There is no drop-down list for the Area field.

NOTE: The Visibledropdown argument for the AutoFilter method is not listed in the AutoFilter Method Help topic. Also, because the AutoFilter method is a write-only method, you cannot programmatically determine which fields in the list have drop-down lists that are hidden or unhidden.

For more information about the AutoFilter method, click Microsoft Visual Basic Help on the Help menu, type autofilter method in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.