Summary  
Combining FILTER, UNIQUE, and SORT functions into a single formula to dynamically produce a deduplicated, sorted list based on specified criteria.

General domain of usage  
Spreadsheet data analysis

In dynamic business environments, you often need to analyze project lists that change frequently. Imagine you are working with an `Employee_Projects` table containing columns like `Project Name`, `Department`, and `Status`.

Analyzing such data dynamically means you need formulas that can handle multiple steps at once—such as filtering by a specific department and status, removing duplicates, and then sorting the results. This multi-step logic is where Excel's dynamic array functions really shine, letting you chain together operations for powerful, real-time analysis.

```
=SORT(UNIQUE(FILTER(Employee_Projects[Project];(Employee_Projects[Department]="Marketing"))))
or
=SORT(UNIQUE(FILTER(E2:E27;(D2:D27="Marketing"))))
```

Excel evaluates formulas **from the inside out**. This means that when multiple functions are combined, the innermost function is calculated first, and its result is then passed to the next function.

For example, in a formula like `=SORT(UNIQUE(FILTER(...)))`, Excel:
- First applies **FILTER** to return matching data;
- Then applies **UNIQUE** to remove duplicates from that result;
- Finally applies **SORT** to order the final output.

Understanding this order helps you build complex formulas step by step and troubleshoot them more easily.

Note

By combining these functions, your formula becomes highly adaptive. As soon as you update the source data—such as adding a new project, changing a project's status, or moving a project to a different department—the result instantly reflects those changes.

Likewise, if you adjust the criteria (for example, by referencing a cell for the department name), the formula recalculates, delivering a fresh, accurate list without manual intervention. This approach streamlines your workflow and ensures your analysis is always up to date, even as your data evolves.

Use the `Employee_Projects` table to create a dynamic list of unique **Project** names for projects that are currently `"In Progress"`, **sorted alphabetically**.

Use a single formula combining `FILTER`, `UNIQUE`, and `SORT`.
```
=SORT(UNIQUE(FILTER(Employee_Projects[Project]; Employee_Projects[Status]="In Progress")))
or
=SORT(UNIQUE(FILTER(E2:E28; K2:K28="In Progress")))
```



After applying the formula, which project appears first and last in the sorted result?

Master Excel's dynamic array features through practical, column-based tasks. Learn to leverage spill behavior, core dynamic array functions, and advanced multi-step logic for efficient, modern spreadsheet solutions.

Explore the basics of dynamic arrays, spill behavior, and how these features change formula logic in Excel. All examples use the Sales_Data table.

Apply FILTER, SORT, SORTBY, and UNIQUE to the Transactions table for powerful, flexible data analysis in a single column.

Solve real-world problems by combining multiple dynamic array functions in a single formula using the Employee_Projects table.

FILTER + SORT + UNIQUE in One Formula