Sorting data in Excel is one of the most important features that helps to quickly organize, categorize, and analyze large amounts of data. From sorting alphabetically to numerically, various types of sorting can be done in Excel with ease. In this article, we will discuss the different ways of sorting data in Excel along with some useful tips and tricks.
Sort Alphabetically
Sorting alphabets in Excel is the most common sorting operation as it helps to list data in an organized manner. We can sort data in Excel by their first letter, the second letter, or even by the third letter of a word. To sort data alphabetically, we can use the following steps:
- Select the range of cells that we want to sort.
- Go to the Data tab and click on the Sort button.
- Select the column that we want to sort by.
- Click on A to Z or Z to A to sort alphabetically in ascending order or descending order, respectively.
- Click Ok to apply the sorting.
Sorting alphabetically allows us to quickly find data in a spreadsheet that has been organized based on alphabetical order.
Sort Numerically
Sorting numerically in Excel is another common sorting operation that helps to list numerical data in an organized manner. We can sort data in Excel by ascending or descending order based on their numerical values. To sort data numerically, we can follow the steps below:
- Select the range of cells that we want to sort.
- Go to the Data tab and click on the Sort button.
- Select the column that we want to sort by.
- Click on Smallest to Largest or Largest to Smallest to sort numerically in ascending order or descending order, respectively.
- Click Ok to apply the sorting.
Sorting numerically allows us to easily sort data such as expenses, revenue, or sales figures to get a clear understanding of the data.
Sort by Date
Sorting dates in Excel is another useful feature that helps to arrange data according to dates. We can sort dates in ascending or descending order based on their chronological order. To sort data by date, we can follow the steps below:
- Select the range of cells that we want to sort.
- Go to the Data tab and click on the Sort button.
- Select the column that we want to sort by.
- Click on Oldest to Newest or Newest to Oldest to sort data chronologically according to the date.
- Click Ok to apply the sorting.
Sorting dates in Excel gives us a clear picture of how data has evolved over time, making it easy to analyze data in time series.
Sort by Color or Icon
Excel allows us to sort data by cell color or by cell icon. We can easily set color to cells in Excel to help us find related data easily. To sort data by color in Excel, we can follow the steps below:
- Select the range of cells that we want to sort.
- Go to the Data tab and click on the Sort button.
- Select the column that we want to sort by.
- Click on Sort by and select the Custom Sort option.
- Select the column that contains cell color or cell icon.
- Choose the color or icon that we want to sort by.
- Click Ok to apply the sorting.
Sorting data by color or icon in Excel can be useful for grouping data that has a similar characteristic or is related in some way.
FAQs
Q. How can I sort data by more than one column in Excel?
In Excel, we can sort data by multiple columns. To sort data by more than one column in Excel, we can follow the steps below:
- Select the range of cells that we want to sort.
- Go to the Data tab and click on the Sort button.
- Select the first column that we want to sort by.
- Click on Add Level to add another sorting level.
- Select the second column that we want to sort by.
- Choose the sorting order for each column.
- Click Ok to apply the sorting.
Sorting data by more than one column helps to get a more precise, customized view of data based on different criteria.
Q. Can I undo a sorting operation in Excel?
Yes, we can undo a sorting operation in Excel. To undo a sorting operation, we can follow the steps below:
- Press Ctrl + Z on the keyboard.
- The sorting operation will be undone.
Undoing a sorting operation helps when we accidentally sort data in the wrong order, allowing us to quickly get back to the original state of the data.
Conclusion
Sorting data in Excel is a powerful tool to help us manipulate large amounts of data. In this article, we have discussed the different ways of sorting data in Excel.
Video Tutorial
Check out this video tutorial for more information on sorting data in Excel:
