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# XL: Error Message: Can Only Copy Filtered Data to Active Sheet

Article ID: 117643

Article Last Modified on 8/16/2005

APPLIES TO

- Microsoft Excel 5.0 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Excel 5.0c
- Microsoft Excel 5.0 for Macintosh
- Microsoft Excel 5.0a for Macintosh
- Microsoft Excel 95 Standard Edition
- Microsoft Excel 95a
- Microsoft Excel 97 Standard Edition

This article was previously published under Q117643

## SYMPTOMS

When you use the Advanced Filter feature in Microsoft Excel, you can have the filtered data copied to another location within the same worksheet that contains the list (database), or it can be copied to another worksheet. However, when you attempt to copy the filtered data to a worksheet other than the worksheet that was active when you chose the Advanced Filter option, you may receive the following error message:
You can only copy filtered data to the active sheet.

## CAUSE

When you choose the Advanced Filter option from the Data menu, you can only copy filtered data to another location if the destination sheet is the active sheet.

## MORE INFORMATION

To copy filtered data to a worksheet other than the worksheet that contains the list, follow these steps:

1. Select the tab of the destination worksheet.
2. From the Data menu, choose Filter, and then choose Advanced Filter.
3. Select the sheet tab of the worksheet that contains the list (database), and select the range of cells in the list (database).
4. Select the Criteria Range box (which brings you back to the destination worksheet), select the sheet tab of the worksheet that contains the list (database), and select the criteria range.
5. Select the Copy To Another Location button.
6. Select the Copy To box and select a cell on the destination worksheet.
7. Choose the OK button.

The filtered data now populates the destination worksheet based on the database information and the criteria set on the worksheet containing the list.

## REFERENCES

"User's Guide," version 5.0, page 407

Additional query words: 5.0 7.0 97 XL97 extract

Keywords: kbualink97 KB117643