Excel Sorting

Things to be careful of when sorting

1.       If you choose the Column Header such a C, and then choose sort, you need to make sure that the choice Expand the Selection is selected or you will mix your record information up.

2.       If you click into an empty column and then try to sort nothing will happen.

3.       If you are outside of the range you will get an error message.

Normal Sorting

1.       Click into the information, a populated column, and click the sort button A to Z or Z to A depending on how you wish to sort.

a.        You can find the sort buttons on the Home Tab at the right hand side under Sort and Filter.

b.      Or you can find the Sort buttons on the Data Tab.

Custom Sorting Options

1.       Sort By: Gives a list of Column Headers that you can sort by.

2.       Sort On: Values, Cell Color, Font Color, Cell Icon.

a.       If you sort by Cell Color or Font Color you will need to create multiple sorts for the same column.  You can adjust the colors to fit how you wish them to be displayed.  Red then yellow then Green, Green then Red then Yellow.

3.       Order: A- Z, Z – A, Custom List

a.       Custom Lists will arrange the information in accordance to the specified list.  Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday.

4.       My data has headers: Check box.

Custom Sorting

To sort by more than one field you need to choose Custom Sorting.  In combination with the above options you can sort various different ways.

1.       Click Add Level.

2.       Choose what column that you want to sort by.

3.       Choose what to sort on, Values being the most common.

4.       Choose how to sort, A – Z being the most common.

5.       Repeat as needed for as many criteria you wish to sort by.  (lather, rinse, repeat)