Slicers are visual filter buttons that make filtering PivotTables, charts, and tables interactive and user-friendly. They're essential for building professional dashboards.

Creating a Slicer for PivotTable

1. Click anywhere in PivotTable
2. PivotTable Analyze tab → Insert Slicer
3. Select fields to filter (e.g., Region, Year, Product)
4. Click OK

Visual filter buttons appear on worksheet

Creating a Slicer for Table

1. Click anywhere in Table (Insert → Table)
2. Table Design tab → Insert Slicer
3. Select columns to filter
4. Click OK

Works just like PivotTable slicers

Using Slicers

Filter Data

Click a button: Filters to that value
Click multiple (Ctrl+Click): Show multiple values
Clear filter: Click funnel icon in top-right
Multi-select: Hold Ctrl while clicking

Formatting Slicers

Select slicer → Slicer tab → Styles

Options:
- Color schemes (matches your theme)
- Custom colors
- Button styles
- Size and columns

Connecting Slicer to Multiple Objects

Filter Multiple PivotTables

1. Right-click slicer
2. Report Connections
3. Check all PivotTables to connect
4. Click OK

One slicer now filters all connected PivotTables!

Filter Charts (via PivotTable)

If chart is based on PivotTable:
Slicer automatically filters the chart too

Create multiple charts from same data,
filter all with one slicer

Practical Dashboard Example

Sales Dashboard:

Slicers:
- Year (2022, 2023, 2024)
- Region (North, South, East, West)
- Product Category (Electronics, Clothing, Food)

Connected to:
- Sales by Month chart
- Top Products PivotTable
- Regional performance table
- Summary metrics

Click "2024" + "North" + "Electronics"
All visuals update instantly!

Slicer Settings and Customization

Arrange Buttons

Slicer tab → Columns
Set number of columns (1 = vertical, 2+ = grid)

Options → Item Sorting
- Ascending, Descending, or Custom order

Slicer Properties

Right-click slicer → Slicer Settings

Options:
- Display name (what users see)
- Item sorting and filtering
- Show items with no data
- Uncheck "Display header" to hide title

Timeline Slicer (For Dates)

Special slicer for date fields:

1. PivotTable Analyze → Insert Timeline
2. Select date field
3. Choose view: Years, Quarters, Months, Days

Drag to select date range
Perfect for time-series analysis

Advanced Slicer Techniques

Layer Slicers

Position smaller slicers on top of larger ones
Use Send to Back/Bring to Front
Create compact, multi-filter controls

Sync Slicers Across Sheets

1. Copy slicer (Ctrl+C)
2. Go to different sheet
3. Paste (Ctrl+V)
4. Report Connections → Link to desired PivotTables

Same slicer controls data on multiple sheets

Slicer Shortcuts

• Alt + C: Clear filter
• Ctrl + Click: Multi-select items
• Arrow keys: Navigate buttons
• Space: Toggle selection

When to Use Slicers

• Interactive dashboards for end users
• Sales reports with multiple dimensions
• Executive summaries requiring quick filtering
• Any scenario where visual filtering beats dropdown menus

Slicers vs Filter Dropdowns

Slicers	Filter Dropdowns
Visual, user-friendly	Compact, hidden
See all options at once	Must click to see options
Show current selection clearly	Less obvious what's filtered
Better for dashboards	Better for data entry