Sorting data in Google Sheets is an essential task 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 is crucial for making sense of your information and making informed decisions. In this blog post, we’ll be exploring the topic of how to sort in Google Sheets by number. We’ll cover the basics of sorting, the different types of sorting, and provide step-by-step instructions on how to sort your data by number.
Why Sort in Google Sheets?
Sorting data in Google Sheets is important for several reasons. Firstly, it helps to organize your data in a logical and meaningful way, making it easier to understand and analyze. Secondly, sorting can help to identify patterns and trends in your data, which can be useful for making informed decisions. Finally, sorting can also help to reduce the amount of time it takes to find specific information in your data.
In Google Sheets, you can sort your data in a variety of ways, including by column, by row, and by multiple columns. You can also sort your data in ascending or descending order, depending on your needs. In this blog post, we’ll be focusing on how to sort your data by number, which is a common and useful way to organize your data.
How to Sort in Google Sheets by Number
To sort your data in Google Sheets by number, you’ll need to follow these steps:
Step 1: Select the Data Range
First, select the range of cells that contains the data you want to sort. You can do this by clicking and dragging your mouse over the cells, or by typing the range of cells in the formula bar.
Step 2: Go to the Data Menu
Next, go to the “Data” menu at the top of the screen and click on “Sort range”. This will open the “Sort range” dialog box.
Step 3: Select the Column to Sort By
In the “Sort range” dialog box, select the column that you want to sort by. In this case, we want to sort by number, so select the column that contains the numbers you want to sort.
Step 4: Choose the Sorting Order
Next, choose the sorting order. You can sort in ascending order (from smallest to largest) or descending order (from largest to smallest). Choose the order that makes the most sense for your data.
Step 5: Click OK
Finally, click “OK” to sort your data. Google Sheets will sort your data by number, using the column you selected in step 3 and the sorting order you chose in step 4. (See Also: How to Convert to Number in Google Sheets? Made Easy)
Sorting by Multiple Columns
What if you want to sort your data by multiple columns? For example, what if you want to sort your data by both the number and the text in a second column? You can do this by following these steps:
Step 1: Select the Data Range
First, select the range of cells that contains the data you want to sort. You can do this by clicking and dragging your mouse over the cells, or by typing the range of cells in the formula bar.
Step 2: Go to the Data Menu
Next, go to the “Data” menu at the top of the screen and click on “Sort range”. This will open the “Sort range” dialog box.
Step 3: Select the Columns to Sort By
In the “Sort range” dialog box, select the columns that you want to sort by. You can select multiple columns by holding down the Ctrl key while clicking on each column.
Step 4: Choose the Sorting Order
Next, choose the sorting order. You can sort in ascending order (from smallest to largest) or descending order (from largest to smallest) for each column. Choose the order that makes the most sense for your data.
Step 5: Click OK
Finally, click “OK” to sort your data. Google Sheets will sort your data by multiple columns, using the columns you selected in step 3 and the sorting order you chose in step 4.
Common Sorting Scenarios
Here are some common sorting scenarios that you may encounter:
-
Sorting by a single column: This is the most common type of sorting, where you sort your data by a single column, such as a column of numbers.
-
Sorting by multiple columns: This is useful when you want to sort your data by multiple criteria, such as both the number and the text in a second column. (See Also: How to Google Sheets? Master Spreadsheet Skills)
-
Sorting in ascending order: This is useful when you want to sort your data from smallest to largest, such as when you’re sorting a column of numbers.
-
Sorting in descending order: This is useful when you want to sort your data from largest to smallest, such as when you’re sorting a column of numbers.
Best Practices for Sorting in Google Sheets
Here are some best practices to keep in mind when sorting in Google Sheets:
-
Use the correct sorting order: Make sure to choose the correct sorting order for your data, whether it’s ascending or descending.
-
Use multiple columns: If you’re sorting by multiple columns, make sure to select the correct columns and choose the correct sorting order for each column.
-
Use the “Sort range” dialog box: The “Sort range” dialog box is a powerful tool that allows you to sort your data quickly and easily. Make sure to use it whenever you need to sort your data.
-
Test your data: Before you sort your data, make sure to test it to ensure that it’s correct and accurate.
Recap
In this blog post, we’ve covered the basics of sorting in Google Sheets, including how to sort by number and how to sort by multiple columns. We’ve also covered some common sorting scenarios and best practices for sorting in Google Sheets. By following these tips and techniques, you’ll be able to sort your data quickly and easily, and make the most of your Google Sheets experience.
FAQs
How do I sort my data in Google Sheets?
To sort your data in Google Sheets, follow these steps: Select the range of cells that contains the data you want to sort, go to the “Data” menu and click on “Sort range”, select the column you want to sort by, choose the sorting order, and click “OK”.
How do I sort by multiple columns in Google Sheets?
To sort by multiple columns in Google Sheets, follow these steps: Select the range of cells that contains the data you want to sort, go to the “Data” menu and click on “Sort range”, select the columns you want to sort by, choose the sorting order for each column, and click “OK”.
How do I sort in descending order in Google Sheets?
To sort in descending order in Google Sheets, follow these steps: Select the range of cells that contains the data you want to sort, go to the “Data” menu and click on “Sort range”, select the column you want to sort by, choose the “Descending” option, and click “OK”.
How do I undo a sort in Google Sheets?
To undo a sort in Google Sheets, follow these steps: Select the range of cells that contains the data you want to undo the sort for, go to the “Edit” menu and click on “Undo”, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac).
How do I sort a large dataset in Google Sheets?
To sort a large dataset in Google Sheets, follow these steps: Select the range of cells that contains the data you want to sort, go to the “Data” menu and click on “Sort range”, select the column you want to sort by, choose the sorting order, and click “OK”. Google Sheets will sort the data quickly and efficiently, even for large datasets.