You can add a new column to the move list, and check for an actor. For
example:

In cell O1, add the heading "Check"
In cell O2, type the formula: =COUNTIF(C2:E2,$I$1)0
Copy the formula down to the last row of data
In cell I1, type an actor name
Select a cell in the table, and choose DataFilterAutoFilter
From the dropdown list in the Check column heading, select TRUE
The selected actor's movies will be visible.

Brad wrote:
Thanks for the quick feedback (much quicker than I anticipated), but it won't
work. EasyFilter, at least in this iteration, specifically precludes
multiple column entries. I also wanted to clarify what I'm looking to do.
The spreadsheet with the movies contains 12 actor columns. When entering
movie data into each row, the actors are entered in order of billing. Using
Kevin Spacey as an example, three movies he appeared in would be entered like
this:

MODE TITLE ACTOR_1 ACTOR_2 [...] ACTOR_6
DVD AMERICAN BEAUTY SPACEY
DVD NEGOTIATOR, THE JACKSON SPACEY
DVD USUAL SUSPECTS, THE BALDWIN BYRNE [...] SPACEY

Currently, there are only 400 movies entered, but it's still a little
unwieldy. If I want to do a 'Kevin Spacey' movie marathon, how do I
-QUICKLY- hide all movies WITHOUT Spacey in them? It cannot be a formula
entered on the fly each time, as I need to make it idiot proof for non-excel
users. It can be a formula or non-VBA macro on another sheet in the
workbook, where all that needs to be entered is the search string and and
keystroke (or button).

Thanks again

"Biff" wrote:


Hi!

This is relatively easy to do with formulas but try
Frank's suggestion first and see if that's what you really
want.

If you decide you want to go the formula route, just post
back and "we'll" fix you right up!

Biff


-----Original Message-----
My mother created at a spreadsheet to document all her

movies. The columns

include TITLE, GENRE, RELEASE DATE, and 12 separate

columns for actors

(ACTOR_1, ACTOR_2, etc.). She has a second sheet in the

workbook, with all

the actors listed. This has 3 columns (Name, Movie

Title, and Release Date).

I'm adding my collection to her 'database' and she's mad

that I won't enter

anything on the "ACTORS" sheet. If I'm looking for a

specific actor, I just

use FIND, and FIND ALL to see what movies we have that

they were in. The

question; is there a way to export the find results to a

separate sheet? Or

a function/tool in Excel that would search across

mutliple columns (for all

instances of Kevin Spacey) and easily show what movies we

have that have him?

Does this question make sense?

Thanks to anyone who can help.
.




--
Debra Dalgleish
Excel FAQ, Tips & Book List
http://www.contextures.com/tiptech.html