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Frequently Asked Questions


How do I filter out all rows with empty cells in a column?

Filter the column using filter phrase !. The ! means "NOT" and there's emptiness after it, so it means "NOT empty". You can also filter out non-empty rows by simply leaving the filter phrase blank.

If it appears to leave some rows with empty cells, those cells may have spaces. You can select them and check the cell lengths in the status bar. The Trim Selected Cell(s) command can remove them.


I filtered a file. How do I save the result to a new file?

Use the Save Visible Data As command.


How do I get Convert Date/Time Filter to work?

You'll need to enter a format for both the current date/file format and the new one (it does not guess the current format because of the possiblity of mixing up months, days, and years). If you have a custom format, be sure to select the Enter Custom Format option first.

Also, be sure the "From" format matches the current date/time format. If not, it won't make any changes.


I made a change to the Settings or Keyboard Shortcuts file but it didn't stick.

In the Settings file, make sure you set your preference under the User Value column and not the Default Value column.

In the Keyboard Shortcuts file, edit the User Shortcut column rather than the Default Shortcut column.

Also, be sure to save the file. The settings will apply immediately.


How do I sort dates and times?

It depends on how your date/time strings are formatted. If they're in ISO 8601, Unix Epoch, or Excel formats, you can sort them like you would anything else. Likewise if they're in a format with the following order from left to right: year, month (numbers only, not names), day, hour, minute, AM/PM, second, millisecond.

If they're in some other format, you can do the following:

  1. Duplicate the column (ctrl+alt+c).
  2. Convert the new column to ISO 8601, Unix Epoch, or Excel format using the Convert Date/Time Format command.
  3. Sort the new column.
  4. Delete the column (ctrl+shift+L).
  1. Duplicate the column (cmd+alt+c).
  2. Convert the new column to ISO 8601, Unix Epoch, or Excel format using the Convert Date/Time Format command.
  3. Sort the new column.
  4. Delete the column (cmd+shift+L).