How to Sort Data by Value in Excel (5 Easy Methods)

The Excel Sort option allows us to customize the order of worksheet data. We can sort data alphabetically, numerically, date-wise, etc. Let’s explore some examples.

Method 1 – Using Ascending Order

Suppose we have the below dataset, containing several people’s names and their ages.

Let’s sort the ages of the above people first, then their names too.

Steps:

Select the age values of column C.

To sort in ascending order, go to the Data > A to Z icon from the Sort and Filter section.

The Sort Warning dialog will appear.

Select Expand the selection to organize the names of the people according to sorted age.
Click SORT.
If you do not want sorting the data in the selected column to affect the rest of the data, then select Continue with the current selection.

The age values of the people are sorted in ascending order.

Similarly, you can organize the above age data in descending order by clicking the Data > Z to A icon.

⏩ Note:

You can sort the names of column B in alphabetical descending/ascending order as follows:

Steps:

Select the names first.
Click on the Data > A to Z/ Z to A icon.

Sorted data is returned. This process can be applied to organize date values too.

Method 2 – Sorting an Excel Range or Table

Consider the below dataset containing several people’s names, ages, occupations, and cities.

Let’s organize the data in ascending order based on the people’s names.

Steps:

Select any cell in the column that you want to sort (here, Cell B7).
Click the Data > A to Z icon.

All the name data in column B are sorted, which updates the order of the data in the rest of the columns.

Read More: How to Add Sort Button in Excel

Method 3 – Using Custom Sort

We can use the Custom Sort option to make a custom list and sort data in multiple columns according to it.

3.1 – Sorting Data in Multiple Columns

Steps:

Select any of the cells in the below dataset.
Go to Data > Sort.

The Sort dialog pops up.

For the first level, select the column name from the Sort by drop-down.
Click on Add Level. As we want to add two more levels, we click Add Level twice.

The below levels are added in the Sort dialog.

Select the columns you want to sort.
Check Sort On and Order.
Click OK.

The result is as follows:

3.2 – Using a Custom List

Let’s make a custom list and sort values based on it.

In the below dataset 3 different occupations are listed. Let’s sort the Occupation column according to the list: Lawyer, Engineer, Journalist.

Steps:

Select any of the cells from your dataset and go to Data > Sort to open the Sort dialog box.
In the Sort dialog, click on the Order drop-down and select the Custom List option.
Press OK.