How to Rearrange Columns Alphabetically in Excel (5 Methods)

In this article, we will demonstrate 5 easy methods for rearranging columns in Excel alphabetically.

Method 1 – Using Excel Sort Feature

Suppose we have the following dataset of some people and their purchased products.

Let’s rearrange the columns alphabetically.

Steps:

Select the column to rearrange.
Go to the Data tab, click Sort & Filter, and choose A to Z.

Click Expand the selection.
Click Sort.

The column is rearranged alphabetically.

Similarly, invert the sorting order of the column by Sorting Z to A.

The column is now in descending order.

Method 2 – Using the Filter Option

We will now apply the Filter feature on the same dataset to achieve the same result.

Steps:

Select the headers of the columns to be rearranged.

Go to the Data tab, click Sort & Filter and then Filter.

A small arrow appears at the right end of the selected cells.

Click the arrow of the column you want to reorganize and a dialog box will open.
Select whether you want to Sort by A to Z or by Z to A.
Click OK.

The column will be sorted as specified.

Thus we can rearrange as many columns as we want alphabetically by using the Filter feature.

Method 3 – Reorder Column Headings Alphabetically

Sometimes we might need to sort the headings of columns alphabetically in Excel. Suppose, we have a dataset of delivery details of different types of products to different addresses. The headings of the columns are ID > Customer > Product > Weight > Address. We’ll rearrange them into: Address > Customer > ID > Product > Weight.

Steps:

Select all the columns to be rearranged.
Go to the Data tab, select Sort & Filter and click the Sort option.

In the dialog box that opens, click Options, choose Sort left to right, and click OK.

Click the Sort by option.
Choose the position of the column heading (row number) and click OK.

The column headings will be sorted alphabetically.

Thus, if we have random column headings, we can easily sort them alphabetically.

Method 4 – Using the SORT Function

In this method, we will reorganize columns using the SORT function. Suppose, we have the following dataset of numbers of purchased products for some different people.