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Advanced Excel Sort | Microsoft Excel XP

What's on this page... Simple Sort a List Using a Custom Sort Order Create a Custom List

Simple Sort a List

To sort a list using the Ascending and Descending buttons, follow these steps:

1.	Move the cell pointer to the column upon which you want to base the sort.
2.	Click the Sort Ascending button to sort text - A-Z, and values - big to small.
	Sort Ascending button
	Click the Sort Descending button to sort text - Z-A, and values - small to big.
	Sort Descending button

You may need to sort a list by more than one column. For example, you might want to sort by state, by city within the state, and by zip code within the city. To sort a list on multiple columns, use the procedure above for each column that you want to sort.  Always start with the least important: column (for example, state).

If the sorted list contains formulas that refer to cells in other rows in the list, the formulas will not be correct after the sorting.  If formulas in your list refer to cells outside the list, make sure that the formulas use an absolute cell reference.

To sort a list using the Sort dialog box, follow these steps:

1.	Select any cell within the database to sort.
2.	Choose Data ► Sort from the menu bar.
	Sort dialog box
3.	Select the first sort field from the drop-down list labeled Sort By and specify Ascending or Descending order.
4.	Repeat Step 2 for the second and third sort fields (if desired).
5.	Click Options and select any sort options (if desired).
	► First Key Sort Order Lets you specify a custom sort order for the sort.
	► Case Sensitive Makes the sorting case sensitive so that uppercase letters appear before lowercase letters in an ascending sort.  Normally, sorting ignore the case of letters.
	► Orientation Lets you sort by columns rather than by rows (default).
6.	Click OK to return to the Sort dialog box.
7.	Click OK and the list's rows are rearranged.

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