Published on November 1, 2023 by Jake Sheridan
Google Sheets, the equivalent of Microsoft Excel, offers a convenient way to sort data based on specific conditions. If you’re already familiar with Microsoft software, you’ll find this sorting function just as intuitive. Sorting alphabetically in Google Sheets is an essential skill for better data organization and easier data entry. Whether you’re creating a book list, a mailing list, or a class register, the “sort by” feature in Google Sheets will organize your data in alphabetical order effortlessly.
Setting up your Google Sheets List
To begin, create a new spreadsheet on Google Sheets. Simply click on the “Blank” option on the homepage, which is represented by an icon with a plus sign. Name your spreadsheet in the text box at the top left. Now you can start inputting your data cell by cell. You have the option to fill in your list by column or row, but I personally recommend using the column format for better organization.
Preventing Column Header Sorting
To avoid mixing up the header row with your list when sorting, create fixed column headers. To do this, go to View > Freeze. You will be given the option to freeze one or two rows. By selecting this option, the header row will remain visible at all times. Once your list is generated, you can proceed to sort it alphabetically. The “sort by” feature will automatically consider the first row as the basis for sorting, unless specified otherwise.
Sorting Alphabetically
You can either sort the entire sheet based on one column or sort a selected range of columns.
1. Sort by Sheet
If you want to sort the entire sheet based on one column or if you have a single-column list, the “Sort sheet” option is perfect for you.
- First, choose the column you want to sort alphabetically by. To do this, select the letter at the top of the desired column. This action will highlight the entire column.
- Next, go to Data in the toolbar and select one of the available “Sort sheet by” options.
- You’ll have two options for alphabetical sorting: sort the sheet from A to Z or from Z to A. Choose your preference, and the sheet will be sorted accordingly.
2. Sort by Range
When you have a list with multiple columns, such as first name, last name, address, etc., but you only want to sort a specific part of the list, you can use the “Sort range” option. The range will be sorted based on the first highlighted column.
- To select the range, click on the letter at the top of the first column and drag until the last column of your desired range.
- Once the range is selected, go to Data and choose one of the “Sort range by” options.
- Similar to sorting the entire sheet, you’ll have the option to sort the range from A to Z or from Z to A. Select your preference, and the range will be sorted accordingly.
Conclusion
Sorting alphabetically in Google Sheets is a simple and effective way to enhance your data organization and transform a messy list into a neat work of data entry. There’s no need for prior programming knowledge or conditional formatting skills to utilize this feature in Google Sheets. It’s all about knowing where to click! For more tips and tricks on Google Sheets, visit Crawlan.com.
