How to Sort in Google Sheets (+ Examples)

In Google Sheets, you can sort your data however you want. In addition to sorting alphabetically or numerically, it's also possible to sort by date and by color. You can sort according to one or multiple columns in the order you prefer, and you can do this using different methods. It’s important to note the difference between the two methods used in this article. The first method involves using the menu options, which will alter the original data. In other words, it’s applied directly to your selected range. Using the SORT function, on the other hand, does not alter the original data. Instead, it displays the sorted version of that data in new cells. Finally, the filter options allow for different data types, like dates and colors, but will also change the original data.

In this post, you will learn how to sort data in Google Sheets using the menu and using the SORT function. You have step-by-step instructions on how to sort using the menu and how to sort using the function. Finally, you have examples of how to use the filter options to sort by date, by color, and using custom values.

How to Sort in Google Sheets with the Sort Menu?

First, let’s see how to sort data by a single column from the menu.

1. 1. Select the table with the data you want to sort.

1. 2. Go to Data > Sort range > Advanced range sorting options.

1. 3. If you have selected the entire table, check the “Data has headers row” checkbox.

1. 4. That’s it. The table is sorted by the values in the first column in ascending order.

How to Sort by Multiple Columns in Google Sheets?

To sort by multiple columns, select the range of cells and go to Data > Sort range > Advanced range sorting options. For this example, I will sort by the sales team, then by the sales agent.

1. 1. Select the “sales_team” column and ascending order. Click “Add another sort column”.

1. 2. Select the “sales_agent” column and ascending order. Once you’ve added all the columns you want, click “Sort”.

1. 3. That’s it. The data is sorted by the team, then by the agent.

How to Sort in Google Sheets with the Sort Function?

Using the SORT function, you can also sort the rows in a range of cells according to the values in one or more columns.

SORT Function Syntax

=SORT(range, sort_column, is_ascending, [sort_column2], [is_ascending2])

• range: the range of data you want to sort.
• sort_column: the index number of the column containing the values by which you want to sort.
• is_ascending: ‘TRUE’ for ascending order and ‘FALSE’ for descending order.
• sort_column2*: optional. You can add more columns by which to sort in order of precedence.
• is_ascending2*: optional. If a second sort column has been selected, specify the sort order.

SORT Function Using a Single Column

In this example, I will sort the data in my table by sales ID using the SORT function.

1. 1. In an empty cell, type the SORT formula.

1. 2. For the range argument, select all the data in the range.

1. 3. Select the column containing the values by which you want to sort.

1. 4. For the third argument, type ‘TRUE’ for ascending order. Press Enter. If you want to sort by more than one column, specify the necessary arguments: “sort_column2”, “is ascending2”, etc.

1. 5. That’s it. The data is sorted by the values in the first column.

How to Sort Data Using Filter Options?

Now that you know how to sort using both the menu and the function let’s see some examples of how to use the function with different data types. For these examples, I have modified the dataset to include a date column.

First, click one of the column headers and go to Data > Create a filter.

You will see the inverted pyramid symbol to the right of each column header.

Sort by Date in Google Sheets

For this example, I will sort the data according to the dates in the first column.

1. 1. Click the filter symbol in the column with the dates and select the order you prefer.

1. 2. That’s it. The data is sorted by date.

Sort by Color in Google Sheets

For this example, I have assigned different colors to each sales team. Now, I can use the filter options to sort by color.

1. 1. Click the filter options in the sales team column. Under “Sort by color”, choose “Fill color”, then select the color you want at the top of the column.

1. 2. That’s it. The data is sorted by your chosen color.

Conclusion

There are many ways to sort your data in Google Sheets. In addition to the menu options, you can also use the SORT function. Regardless of the type of values you are working with, you can sort them in ascending or descending order. In other words, you can sort alphabetically, numerically, by date, or even by color or custom values. You now know how to sort data in Google Sheets according to one or more columns using the menu options. You also know how to sort one or more columns using the SORT function. Additionally, you have examples of how to use the filter options to sort your data by date, color, and custom values.