Sorting Google Sheets by date is a crucial skill for anyone who uses Google Sheets for data management, analysis, or tracking. With the vast amount of data that can be stored in a Google Sheet, being able to sort and organize it by date is essential for making sense of the information. Whether you’re a student, a business owner, or a professional, being able to sort Google Sheets by date can save you time and increase your productivity. In this article, we’ll explore the different ways to sort Google Sheets by date, including using the built-in sort function, using filters, and using formulas. We’ll also cover some advanced techniques for sorting dates in Google Sheets, including sorting dates in a specific format and sorting dates across multiple sheets.
Sorting Google Sheets by Date: The Basics
Sorting Google Sheets by date is a straightforward process that can be accomplished using the built-in sort function. To sort a Google Sheet by date, follow these steps:
- Open your Google Sheet and select the range of cells that you want to sort.
- Go to the “Data” menu and select “Sort sheet by date.”
- Choose the column that contains the date you want to sort by.
- Select the sort order (ascending or descending).
- Click “Sort.”
Alternatively, you can also sort a Google Sheet by date using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + S (Windows) or Command + Shift + S (Mac).
Sorting Dates in a Specific Format
When sorting dates in Google Sheets, it’s essential to ensure that the dates are in a consistent format. If your dates are in a non-standard format, you may need to convert them to a standard format before sorting. To convert dates to a standard format, follow these steps:
- Select the range of cells that contains the dates you want to convert.
- Go to the “Format” menu and select “Number.”
- Choose the date format you want to use (e.g., MM/DD/YYYY or DD/MM/YYYY).
- Click “OK.”
Once you’ve converted your dates to a standard format, you can sort them using the built-in sort function.
Sorting Dates Across Multiple Sheets
If you have multiple sheets in your Google Sheet and you want to sort dates across all of them, you can use the “Merge sheets” feature. To merge sheets, follow these steps:
- Go to the “Data” menu and select “Merge sheets.”
- Choose the sheets you want to merge.
- Select the range of cells that contains the dates you want to sort.
- Go to the “Data” menu and select “Sort sheet by date.”
- Choose the column that contains the date you want to sort by.
- Select the sort order (ascending or descending).
- Click “Sort.”
Using Filters to Sort Google Sheets by Date
Another way to sort Google Sheets by date is to use filters. Filters allow you to quickly and easily sort data based on specific criteria, including date. To use a filter to sort Google Sheets by date, follow these steps: (See Also: How to Do Box Plot in Google Sheets? A Step-by-Step Guide)
- Open your Google Sheet and select the range of cells that you want to filter.
- Go to the “Data” menu and select “Create a filter.”
- Choose the column that contains the date you want to sort by.
- Select the sort order (ascending or descending).
- Click “Apply.”
Filters are a great way to quickly sort data in Google Sheets, but they can also be used to filter data based on other criteria, such as text or numbers.
Using Formulas to Sort Google Sheets by Date
Formulas can also be used to sort Google Sheets by date. One common formula used to sort dates is the DATE function. The DATE function returns the date part of a date/time value, which can then be sorted using the built-in sort function. To use the DATE function to sort dates, follow these steps:
- Select the range of cells that contains the dates you want to sort.
- Enter the formula =DATE(YEAR(A2),MONTH(A2),DAY(A2)) in the cell where you want to display the sorted date.
- Drag the formula down to the other cells in the range.
- Go to the “Data” menu and select “Sort sheet by date.”
- Choose the column that contains the date you want to sort by.
- Select the sort order (ascending or descending).
- Click “Sort.”
Another formula that can be used to sort dates is the DATEVALUE function. The DATEVALUE function returns the serial number of a date, which can then be sorted using the built-in sort function. To use the DATEVALUE function to sort dates, follow these steps:
- Select the range of cells that contains the dates you want to sort.
- Enter the formula =DATEVALUE(A2) in the cell where you want to display the sorted date.
- Drag the formula down to the other cells in the range.
- Go to the “Data” menu and select “Sort sheet by date.”
- Choose the column that contains the date you want to sort by.
- Select the sort order (ascending or descending).
- Click “Sort.”
Advanced Techniques for Sorting Dates in Google Sheets
Sorting dates in Google Sheets can be a complex task, especially when dealing with dates in different formats or across multiple sheets. Here are some advanced techniques for sorting dates in Google Sheets:
Sorting Dates in a Specific Format
When sorting dates in Google Sheets, it’s essential to ensure that the dates are in a consistent format. If your dates are in a non-standard format, you may need to convert them to a standard format before sorting. To convert dates to a standard format, follow these steps: (See Also: How to Conditional Format in Google Sheets? Mastering Data Visualization)
- Select the range of cells that contains the dates you want to convert.
- Go to the “Format” menu and select “Number.”
- Choose the date format you want to use (e.g., MM/DD/YYYY or DD/MM/YYYY).
- Click “OK.”
Once you’ve converted your dates to a standard format, you can sort them using the built-in sort function.
Sorting Dates Across Multiple Sheets
If you have multiple sheets in your Google Sheet and you want to sort dates across all of them, you can use the “Merge sheets” feature. To merge sheets, follow these steps:
- Go to the “Data” menu and select “Merge sheets.”
- Choose the sheets you want to merge.
- Select the range of cells that contains the dates you want to sort.
- Go to the “Data” menu and select “Sort sheet by date.”
- Choose the column that contains the date you want to sort by.
- Select the sort order (ascending or descending).
- Click “Sort.”
Recap
In this article, we’ve covered the different ways to sort Google Sheets by date, including using the built-in sort function, using filters, and using formulas. We’ve also covered some advanced techniques for sorting dates in Google Sheets, including sorting dates in a specific format and sorting dates across multiple sheets. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to sort your Google Sheets by date with ease.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Sort Google Sheets by Date?
Q: How do I sort Google Sheets by date?
A: To sort Google Sheets by date, go to the “Data” menu and select “Sort sheet by date.” Choose the column that contains the date you want to sort by and select the sort order (ascending or descending). Click “Sort” to apply the sort.
How Do I Sort Dates in a Specific Format?
Q: How do I sort dates in a specific format?
A: To sort dates in a specific format, select the range of cells that contains the dates you want to sort. Go to the “Format” menu and select “Number.” Choose the date format you want to use (e.g., MM/DD/YYYY or DD/MM/YYYY). Click “OK” to apply the format. Once you’ve converted your dates to a standard format, you can sort them using the built-in sort function.
How Do I Sort Dates Across Multiple Sheets?
Q: How do I sort dates across multiple sheets?
A: To sort dates across multiple sheets, go to the “Data” menu and select “Merge sheets.” Choose the sheets you want to merge. Select the range of cells that contains the dates you want to sort. Go to the “Data” menu and select “Sort sheet by date.” Choose the column that contains the date you want to sort by and select the sort order (ascending or descending). Click “Sort” to apply the sort.
How Do I Use Formulas to Sort Google Sheets by Date?
Q: How do I use formulas to sort Google Sheets by date?
A: To use formulas to sort Google Sheets by date, select the range of cells that contains the dates you want to sort. Enter the formula =DATE(YEAR(A2),MONTH(A2),DAY(A2)) in the cell where you want to display the sorted date. Drag the formula down to the other cells in the range. Go to the “Data” menu and select “Sort sheet by date.” Choose the column that contains the date you want to sort by and select the sort order (ascending or descending). Click “Sort” to apply the sort.
How Do I Use Filters to Sort Google Sheets by Date?
Q: How do I use filters to sort Google Sheets by date?
A: To use filters to sort Google Sheets by date, select the range of cells that contains the dates you want to sort. Go to the “Data” menu and select “Create a filter.” Choose the column that contains the date you want to sort by and select the sort order (ascending or descending). Click “Apply” to apply the filter.