How to Sort by Multiple Columns in Excel?

Do you ever feel overwhelmed when you open your Excel spreadsheet? With all the data you have to work with, it can be hard to make sense of it all. But have no fear, sorting by multiple columns in Excel can help you organize and streamline your data so that you can make the most of it. In this article, we’ll show you how to quickly and easily sort your data by multiple columns in Excel, so you can get back to what you do best.

Sorting Excel Data by Multiple Columns

Sorting data in Microsoft Excel allows you to organize the information in the way that is most useful to you. By default, Excel will sort data in ascending order, but you can also sort by multiple columns. This feature is especially useful when dealing with large datasets, as it helps to quickly organize and analyze the data.

To sort data by multiple columns in Excel, click the “Data” tab in the ribbon and then choose the “Sort” option. From here, you can select up to three columns to sort by. This will allow you to sort the data in a variety of ways, such as alphabetically or numerically. You can also specify the order of the sort, from ascending to descending. Once you have selected the columns, click the “OK” button to apply the sort.

Selecting Multiple Columns for Sorting

Sorting data by multiple columns requires you to select the columns you want to sort by. To do this, click the “Data” tab in the ribbon and then choose the “Sort” option. From here, you can select up to three columns to sort by. To select each column, click the drop-down menu and choose the column you want to sort by.

Once you have chosen the columns, you can specify the order of the sort. You can choose to sort the data in either ascending or descending order. To do this, click the “Ascending” or “Descending” option next to each column. Finally, click the “OK” button to apply the sort.

Sorting by Custom List

If you want to sort the data using a custom list, you can do this by clicking the “Data” tab in the ribbon and then choosing the “Sort” option. From here, you can select up to three columns to sort by. To select each column, click the drop-down menu and choose the column you want to sort by.

Once you have chosen the columns, you can specify the order of the sort. To do this, click the “Options” button and then choose the “Sort by Custom List” option. From here, you can choose the custom list that you want to sort by. Finally, click the “OK” button to apply the sort.

Saving the Sort Order

If you want to save the sort order of the data, you can do this by clicking the “Data” tab in the ribbon and then choosing the “Sort” option. From here, you can select up to three columns to sort by. Once you have chosen the columns, click the “Options” button and then choose the “Save Sort Order” option.

This will save the sort order of the data in the current worksheet. To apply the saved sort order to another worksheet, click the “Data” tab in the ribbon and then choose the “Sort” option. From here, you can select up to three columns to sort by. Once you have chosen the columns, click the “Options” button and then choose the “Apply Saved Sort Order” option. Finally, click the “OK” button to apply the sort.

Using Advanced Sorting

If you want to use advanced sorting options, such as sorting by specific values or by color, you can do this by clicking the “Data” tab in the ribbon and then choosing the “Sort” option. From here, you can select up to three columns to sort by. Once you have chosen the columns, click the “Options” button and then choose the “More Options” option.

From here, you can choose the specific sorting criteria, such as sorting by color or value. You can also specify the order of the sort, from ascending to descending. Finally, click the “OK” button to apply the sort.

Related Faq

What is Sorting in Excel?

Sorting in Excel is a way to quickly organize data in a spreadsheet by a certain order. It allows you to organize your data in an efficient and effective manner, making it easier to analyze and understand. Sorting can be done by one column or by multiple columns, depending on the amount of data you have. In addition, sorting can be done in either ascending or descending order.

What is the Benefit of Sorting in Excel?

The benefit of sorting in Excel is that it allows you to quickly organize data in a spreadsheet by a certain order. This makes it much easier to analyze and understand your data, as it can be organized in an efficient and effective manner. Additionally, sorting can make it easier to find specific data points, as they can be quickly filtered by the sorting process.

How to Sort by Multiple Columns in Excel?

Sorting by multiple columns in Excel is a relatively simple process. First, select the range of cells you want to sort. Then, click the “Data” tab in the ribbon and select “Sort”. In the “Sort” window, select the columns you want to sort by, and the direction of the sort (ascending or descending). Finally, click the “OK” button to apply the sort.

What is the Difference Between Sorting and Filtering?

Sorting and filtering are two different processes used to organize data in a spreadsheet. Sorting is used to organize data in an efficient and effective manner, while filtering is used to narrow down data to only show specific data points. Sorting can be done by one column or by multiple columns, while filtering can only be done by one column at a time.

What is the Difference Between Ascending and Descending Sort?

Ascending and descending sort are two different ways of organizing data in a spreadsheet. Ascending sort orders data in ascending order (from smallest to largest or A-Z), while descending sort orders data in descending order (from largest to smallest or Z-A). Ascending and descending sort can be used when sorting by one column or multiple columns.

How to Sort by Multiple Columns in Excel with Specific Criteria?

Sorting by multiple columns in Excel with specific criteria is possible by using the “Custom Sort” option. First, select the range of cells you want to sort. Then, click the “Data” tab in the ribbon and select “Sort”. In the “Sort” window, select the columns you want to sort by and click the “Options” button. In the “Custom Sort” window, select the criteria you want to sort by and click “OK”. Finally, click the “OK” button to apply the sort.

How to sort by multiple columns in Excel

Sorting data in Excel is an essential skill for any professional. With the ability to sort by multiple columns, you can quickly analyze large amounts of data. Whether you are sorting by numbers, text, or dates, Excel can make the process fast and efficient. Just remember to take the time to set up your data properly before sorting to get the best results.