Are you tired of manually sorting columns in your Google Sheets? Well, fret no more! Sorting columns in Google Sheets is as easy as a few clicks. No need for complicated formulas or additional extensions. In this article, we’ll guide you through a step-by-step process on how to sort columns effortlessly.
Sorting a Range by Column
The Range Includes the Header
Here’s how you can sort a range that includes the header:
Step 1: Select the range you want to sort.
Step 2: Click on Data.
Step 3: Click on Sort Range.
Step 4: Select the advanced sorting options for the range.
Step 5: Check the Range has a header row option.
Step 6: Select the reference for sorting and choose either ascending or descending order.
The dropdown list will change to match the header row name. The first option is preselected by default. Click on the dropdown list to change the reference for sorting.
There are two options for sorting the rows: ascending order (A->Z) and descending order (Z->A). Ascending order is set as the default.
Step 7: Click on Sort.
Result
The range will now be sorted according to your selected criteria.
Screenshot
The Range Does Not Include the Header
If you want to sort a range that doesn’t include the header, follow these steps:
Step 1: Select the range you want to sort.
In this example, we won’t include the header in the range so that it won’t get mixed up with the sorted lines. Start by selecting the range you want to sort in Google Sheets.
Step 2: Click on Data.
Step 3: Click on Sort Range.
Step 4: Select how you want to rearrange the range.
For ascending order, select By column A (A to Z). For descending order, select By column A (Z to A). The command depends on the location of the selected cell.
Result
The range will now be sorted according to your selected criteria.
Screenshot
Sorting a Specific Column
You can also sort a single column without including the adjacent ones.
Step 1: Select the column.
It’s best to exclude the header row so that it won’t be included in the sorted data.
Step 2: Click on Data.
Step 3: Click on Sort Range.
Step 4: Select how you want to sort.
For ascending order, select By column A (A to Z). For descending order, select By column A (Z to A). The column used in the command depends on the location of the selected cell.
Your data is now sorted.
Screenshot
Other Methods
Apart from the methods mentioned above, there are other ways to rearrange data in Google Sheets.
Sorting by Color
You can use fill color or text color as a basis for rearranging rows, especially if the colors have specific meanings. For example, you can set the fill color of certain rows to green using Google Sheets’ conditional formatting feature.
Click here to learn how to do it by color.
Sorting by Date
One of the most common reasons for rearranging rows in Google Sheets is to see the oldest and/or newest entries. Luckily, this is a quick and easy procedure that takes only a few steps.
Head over here to learn how to rearrange entries by date.
Sorting Alphabetically
Another common reason is to sort entries alphabetically. For example, it’s easier to search for a specific name or names when the list is arranged alphabetically.
Learn here how to rearrange entries alphabetically.
Using Two or More Columns
Sometimes, you need to use a two-level system for rearranging entries: you rearrange using the first column and then apply the second column.
Click here to read our comprehensive article on sorting multiple columns.
Sorting an Entire Sheet by Column
Step 1: Click on a cell containing data.
This indicates to Google Sheets which cell to use as a reference.
Step 2: Freeze the header row.
There are multiple ways to freeze the header row. We’ll use one method:
- Select the header row.
- Click on View.
- Click on Freeze.
- Select either 1 row or Up to row 1.
Step 3: Click on Data.
Step 4: Click on Sort Sheet.
Step 5: Select how you want to rearrange.
You can rearrange rows in ascending or descending order.
Ascending Order (A->Z)
Descending Order (Z->A)
Result
The sheet will now be sorted according to your selected criteria.
In ascending order:
In descending order:
Screenshot
Ascending order:
Descending order:
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If you enjoyed this article, you might also like our articles on how to sort data in Google Sheets or how to sort alphabetically in Google Sheets.
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