is it possible to show only invoices for a period set in settings? then a button to show previous periods?
That is not possible. But you can sort by date in either direction by clicking the column heading for Date. (The default sort is by status first.)
You might also be able to use the Search function. Understand that it is a text string search, not a numerical/date search. So, “2015” will return all invoices from that year. “5/” could return all invoices in May (if you have date preferences set for MM/DD/YYYY). But it would also return everything for dates ending in 5.
Or you can export and import to a spreadsheet, then manipulate as desired.
The question is what are you trying to accomplish? And why does the current set of capabilities not support that?