How to Sort Dates by Month in Excel?

Do you need to sort dates by month in Excel? Sorting data can be a daunting task, but with the right tools, it doesn’t have to be. In this tutorial, we’ll share a simple yet effective method to sort dates by month in Excel. We’ll show you how to easily identify the month in your data, create a custom month order, and sort the dates in your desired order. With this guide, you’ll be able to sort dates by month in no time!

Sorting Dates by Month in Excel

Sorting dates by month in Excel can be a useful tool for organizing data. By sorting dates by month, you can better understand the data and find trends or patterns in the data. This article will explain how to sort dates by month in Excel.

Step 1: Setting up the Data

The first step in sorting dates by month in Excel is to set up the data. You will need to enter the dates into individual cells. Once you have the dates entered, you can then format the cells as dates. This will make the sorting easier later on.

Step 2: Sorting the Data

Once you have the data formatted as dates, you can then begin the sorting process. To sort the data, click on the column you wish to sort by. Then select “Sort” from the Data tab in the ribbon at the top of the page. Select “Sort by Column” and then select the column you wish to sort by. Select “Sort by” and then “Month” to sort the dates by month.

Step 3: Adjusting the Sort Order

The final step in sorting dates by month in Excel is to adjust the sort order. You can adjust the sort order by selecting the “Order” option in the Sort window. You can then select either “Ascending” or “Descending” to adjust the order in which the dates are sorted.

Using Filters to Sort Dates by Month

Using filters can also be a useful tool for sorting dates by month in Excel. Filters allow you to quickly and easily sort data without having to manually sort it. To use filters, click on the column you wish to sort by. Then select the “Filter” option from the Data tab in the ribbon at the top of the page. Select the “Month” filter and then select the month you wish to view.

Step 1: Selecting the Month Filter

The first step in using filters to sort dates by month in Excel is to select the “Month” filter. You can find this filter by clicking on the column you wish to sort by. Then select the “Filter” option from the Data tab in the ribbon at the top of the page. Select the “Month” filter.

Step 2: Selecting the Month

Once you have selected the month filter, you can then select the month you wish to view. This will filter out all the other months and only display the month you have selected. You can then use the other filters to further refine the data.

Using Formulas to Sort Dates by Month

Using formulas can also be a great way to sort dates by month in Excel. Formulas allow you to quickly and easily sort data without having to manually sort it. To use formulas to sort dates by month, you will need to use the MONTH and YEAR functions.

Step 1: Creating the Formula

The first step in using formulas to sort dates by month in Excel is to create the formula. The formula will use the MONTH and YEAR functions to sort the dates by month. To create the formula, type in the following:

=MONTH(A1)+YEAR(A1)

Step 2: Applying the Formula

Once the formula has been created, you can then apply it to the data. To apply the formula to the data, select the cells you wish to apply the formula to. Then type in the following:

=MONTH(A1)+YEAR(A1)

This will apply the formula to the data and sort the dates by month.

Using Pivot Tables to Sort Dates by Month

Pivot tables can also be a great way to sort dates by month in Excel. Pivot tables are a powerful tool that allow you to quickly and easily analyze and sort data. To use pivot tables to sort dates by month, you will need to set up a pivot table.

Step 1: Setting Up the Pivot Table

The first step in using pivot tables to sort dates by month in Excel is to set up the pivot table. To set up the pivot table, select the cells you wish to include in the pivot table. Then select the “Pivot Table” option from the Insert tab in the ribbon at the top of the page.

Step 2: Adding the Date Field

Once the pivot table has been set up, you can then add the date field. To add the date field, select the “Add Field” option from the PivotTable window. Select the date field and then select the “Month” option to sort the dates by month.

Step 3: Customizing the Pivot Table

The final step in using pivot tables to sort dates by month in Excel is to customize the pivot table. You can customize the pivot table by adjusting the formatting and adding additional fields. This will allow you to further refine the data and view it in different ways.

Few Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How do I sort dates by month in Excel?

A1. To sort dates by month in Excel, start by selecting the range of cells containing the dates. Then, go to the Data tab on the ribbon and click on the ‘Sort’ button. From the dialog box that appears, select the ‘Sort by’ drop-down menu and choose ‘Month’. This will sort the dates in the selected range by month. If you need to sort the dates in a particular order, such as from January to December, you can select the ‘Order’ drop-down menu and choose the desired order. Finally, click ‘OK’ to apply the sort.

Q2. What if my dates don’t appear correctly when sorting by month?

A2. If your dates don’t appear correctly when sorting by month, it may be because the cells containing the dates have been formatted as text rather than as dates. To fix this, select the range of cells containing the dates and go to the Home tab on the ribbon. From the Number section, click on the ‘Date’ drop-down menu and select the desired date format. This will reformat the cells as dates, which should then allow them to be correctly sorted by month.

Q3. Is it possible to sort dates by month and year in Excel?

A3. Yes, it is possible to sort dates by month and year in Excel. To do this, select the range of cells containing the dates and go to the Data tab on the ribbon. Click on the ‘Sort’ button and from the dialog box that appears, select the ‘Sort by’ drop-down menu and choose ‘Month’. Then, select the ‘Order’ drop-down menu and choose the desired order. Finally, select the ‘Then by’ drop-down menu and choose ‘Year’, then click ‘OK’ to apply the sort.

Q4. Can I sort dates in Excel by day of the week?

A4. Yes, it is possible to sort dates in Excel by day of the week. To do this, select the range of cells containing the dates and go to the Data tab on the ribbon. Click on the ‘Sort’ button and from the dialog box that appears, select the ‘Sort by’ drop-down menu and choose ‘Day of the Week’. Then, select the ‘Order’ drop-down menu and choose the desired order, then click ‘OK’ to apply the sort.

Q5. How do I sort dates in Excel by month and day?

A5. To sort dates in Excel by month and day, start by selecting the range of cells containing the dates. Then, go to the Data tab on the ribbon and click on the ‘Sort’ button. From the dialog box that appears, select the ‘Sort by’ drop-down menu and choose ‘Month’. Then, select the ‘Then by’ drop-down menu and choose ‘Day’, and select the ‘Order’ drop-down menu and choose the desired order. Finally, click ‘OK’ to apply the sort.

Q6. Is it possible to sort dates by quarter in Excel?

A6. Yes, it is possible to sort dates by quarter in Excel. To do this, start by selecting the range of cells containing the dates. Then, go to the Data tab on the ribbon and click on the ‘Sort’ button. From the dialog box that appears, select the ‘Sort by’ drop-down menu and choose ‘Quarter’. Then, select the ‘Order’ drop-down menu and choose the desired order. Finally, click ‘OK’ to apply the sort.

Sorting dates by month in Excel is a powerful tool that can make data analysis easier and more efficient. With a few simple steps, you can quickly organize your data in a way that will help you draw meaningful conclusions. As a professional writer, I suggest taking the time to learn how to use this powerful feature of Excel to make your work easier and more efficient.