The Sort by Cell Color Function is Not Working in Excel – 3 Solutions

Reasons

One of the main reasons is Conditional Formatting. In the image below, the sort cell by color function is not working due to Conditional Formatting.

This is the sample dataset.

Solution 1 – Applying the Sort Command

Use the Sort Command.

To sort the revenue earned by the sales representatives with the cell light golden color:

Step 1:

• Select  E5:E14.
• In the Data tab, go to

Data → Sort & Filter → Sort

• In the Sort Warning dialog box will, select Expand the selection in What do you want to do?
• Click Sort.

Step 2:

• In the new dialog box (Sort),  select Rev Earned in Sort by.
• Select Cell Color in Sort on.
• Select light golden in Order.
• Choose On Top.
• Click OK.

This is the output.

Read More: [Solved!] Excel Sort Not Working

Solution 2 – Use the Fill Color Command

Steps:

• Select B4:E14.
• Press Ctrl + T.
• In Create Table, click OK.

A table will be created.

• Click Product.
• In the new window, select  Sort by Color.
• Choose Light Blue.

This is the output.

Read More: [Fixed!] Sort and Filter Not Working in Excel

Solution 3 – Remove the Conditional Formatting

Steps:

• Select E5:E14.

• In the Home tab, go to

 Styles → Conditional Formatting → Clear Rules → Clear Rules from Entire Sheet

This is the output.

Read More: Excel Not Sorting Numbers Correctly

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