Filtering always seems at rows which contain blank cells or are entirely blank.

For this reason, we have a work-around in templates which use filters....
we have a column which is off the print area which has cell content on every row. This would be okay (it can be hidden so as not to confuse the average user) but where it becomes a problem is when we wish users to be able to insert rows when using the templates. If they insert, and don't insert the "dummy" content on the off-print-area column, their filtering will fail. Is there are better way (surely?)

Hi Liz

Thank you for your question. I have been mulling this one over, hence the delay in response.

Firstly as you have pointed out filtering does not work properly if there are rows without any data in them or rows that are mostly blank.

Data should be continuous and not punctured by blank rows if all the data in each of the columns is going to be filtered (or sorted for that matter) from top to bottom.

In this respect, would it perhaps make sense not to allow users of the spreadsheet to insert rows by way of applying protection? Rather any new data is entered at the bottom of the current list and then the data can be sorted if need be (e.g. if it needs to be in date order for example).

To avoid having blank cells within a row, you may like to set up data validation where users can select what to put into a cell from a list. It depends what the data is that you are working with as to whether this would be suitable, e.g. if you have a finite number of names of say people, products or regions that users can select from to enter into a cell.

I hope you find these suggestions relevant and useful.

Amanda