Sorting data in Google Sheets is an essential skill for anyone who works with spreadsheets. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a hobbyist, being able to sort your data quickly and efficiently can save you a lot of time and frustration. One of the most common tasks you’ll need to perform is sorting a range by number. This can be a bit tricky if you’re new to Google Sheets, but don’t worry – we’re here to help.
In this article, we’ll show you how to sort a range by number in Google Sheets. We’ll cover the different methods you can use, including the built-in sort feature, the SORT function, and the ARRAYFORMULA function. We’ll also provide some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of these methods.
Method 1: Using the Built-In Sort Feature
The built-in sort feature in Google Sheets is one of the most straightforward ways to sort a range by number. Here’s how to do it:
1. Select the range of cells you want to sort.
2. Go to the “Data” menu and select “Sort range.”
3. In the “Sort range” dialog box, select the column you want to sort by from the drop-down menu.
4. Choose the sorting order you want (either “Ascending” or “Descending”).
5. Click “Sort” to apply the sort.
This will sort your range by the selected column in the chosen order. You can also sort multiple columns by selecting them in the “Sort by” field.
Sorting Multiple Columns
If you want to sort multiple columns, you can do so by selecting them in the “Sort by” field. For example, if you want to sort by column A and then by column B, you can select column A and then click the “Add another sort column” button. Then, select column B and choose the sorting order you want.
Sorting Dates
When sorting dates, you may need to adjust the sorting order to get the desired result. For example, if you want to sort dates in chronological order, you may need to select the “Descending” option. This is because Google Sheets sorts dates in the order they were entered, not in the order they occurred.
Method 2: Using the SORT Function
The SORT function is another way to sort a range by number in Google Sheets. Here’s how to use it:
1. Enter the following formula in a new cell: =SORT(range, column)
2. Replace “range” with the range of cells you want to sort. (See Also: How to Put Standard Error Bars in Google Sheets? Easily Visualized)
3. Replace “column” with the column number you want to sort by (starting from 1).
4. Press Enter to apply the formula.
This will sort the range by the specified column in ascending order. You can also specify the sorting order by adding the “ASC” or “DESC” keyword to the formula. For example:
=SORT(range, column, ASC)
=SORT(range, column, DESC)
You can also use the SORT function to sort multiple columns by separating the column numbers with commas. For example:
=SORT(range, 1, 2)
This will sort the range by column 1 and then by column 2.
Sorting Dates with the SORT Function
When sorting dates with the SORT function, you may need to adjust the sorting order to get the desired result. For example, if you want to sort dates in chronological order, you can use the following formula:
=SORT(range, 1, ASC)
This will sort the range by the first column in ascending order, which is the default sorting order for dates.
Method 3: Using the ARRAYFORMULA Function
The ARRAYFORMULA function is a powerful tool that allows you to sort a range by number in Google Sheets. Here’s how to use it: (See Also: How to Make Google Sheets Organize by Date? Effortlessly)
1. Enter the following formula in a new cell: =ARRAYFORMULA(SORT(range, column))
2. Replace “range” with the range of cells you want to sort.
3. Replace “column” with the column number you want to sort by (starting from 1).
4. Press Enter to apply the formula.
This will sort the range by the specified column in ascending order. You can also specify the sorting order by adding the “ASC” or “DESC” keyword to the formula. For example:
=ARRAYFORMULA(SORT(range, column, ASC))
=ARRAYFORMULA(SORT(range, column, DESC))
You can also use the ARRAYFORMULA function to sort multiple columns by separating the column numbers with commas. For example:
=ARRAYFORMULA(SORT(range, 1, 2))
This will sort the range by column 1 and then by column 2.
Sorting Dates with the ARRAYFORMULA Function
When sorting dates with the ARRAYFORMULA function, you may need to adjust the sorting order to get the desired result. For example, if you want to sort dates in chronological order, you can use the following formula:
=ARRAYFORMULA(SORT(range, 1, ASC))
This will sort the range by the first column in ascending order, which is the default sorting order for dates.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve shown you three different methods for sorting a range by number in Google Sheets. We’ve covered the built-in sort feature, the SORT function, and the ARRAYFORMULA function. We’ve also provided some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of these methods.
Sorting a range by number is an essential skill for anyone who works with spreadsheets. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a hobbyist, being able to sort your data quickly and efficiently can save you a lot of time and frustration. By following the methods outlined in this article, you should be able to sort your range by number with ease.
Recap
In this article, we’ve covered the following methods for sorting a range by number in Google Sheets:
- The built-in sort feature
- The SORT function
- The ARRAYFORMULA function
We’ve also covered some tips and tricks for sorting dates and multiple columns. By following the methods outlined in this article, you should be able to sort your range by number with ease.
FAQs
Q: How do I sort a range by multiple columns?
A: You can sort a range by multiple columns by selecting them in the “Sort by” field. For example, if you want to sort by column A and then by column B, you can select column A and then click the “Add another sort column” button. Then, select column B and choose the sorting order you want.
Q: How do I sort dates in Google Sheets?
A: When sorting dates in Google Sheets, you may need to adjust the sorting order to get the desired result. For example, if you want to sort dates in chronological order, you can use the built-in sort feature or the SORT function with the “ASC” keyword.
Q: Can I sort a range by a formula?
A: Yes, you can sort a range by a formula using the SORT function or the ARRAYFORMULA function. For example, you can use the following formula to sort a range by a formula: =SORT(range, formula)
Q: How do I sort a range by a custom order?
A: You can sort a range by a custom order by using the SORT function or the ARRAYFORMULA function with the “ASC” or “DESC” keyword. For example, you can use the following formula to sort a range by a custom order: =SORT(range, column, ASC)
Q: Can I sort a range by multiple criteria?
A: Yes, you can sort a range by multiple criteria by using the SORT function or the ARRAYFORMULA function with multiple column numbers. For example, you can use the following formula to sort a range by multiple criteria: =SORT(range, 1, 2)