How to Sort in Ascending Order in Excel?

Sorting data in ascending order in Excel can be a challenge for those who are not familiar with the software. Fortunately, with a few simple steps, you can quickly master the process and make your data look organized and professional. In this article, we will discuss how to sort in ascending order in Excel, including the different sorting options available and how to use them. With this guide, you can ensure that your data is properly sorted and ready for use.

Sorting Data in Ascending Order in Excel

Sorting data in ascending order in Excel can help to make important information easier to find and reference. This article will explain the steps to sort data in ascending order in Excel, from the most basic to the more advanced techniques.

Sorting by Single Column

When sorting data by a single column, the simplest method is to click the column title. This will automatically sort the data alphabetically, or in numerical order depending on the type of data in the column. To reverse the sort, and put the data in descending order, simply click the column title again.

If you want to sort by multiple criteria, such as sorting by two columns, the process is slightly more complex. To do this, click on the “Data” tab in the ribbon menu. From here, select “Sort” from the “Sort & Filter” group. This will open the Sort dialog box, which allows you to select the criteria for sorting.

Advanced Sorting in Excel

The “Sort” dialog box also allows you to sort data in ascending or descending order, as well as sorting by multiple criteria. To do this, click the drop-down menu in the first “Sort By” field and select the criteria you wish to sort by. To sort in ascending order, click the “Ascending” button, or to sort in descending order, click the “Descending” button.

If you wish to sort by more than one criteria, click the “Add Level” button and select the additional criteria from the drop-down menu. To sort by several criteria in ascending order, click the “Ascending” button for each criteria. Once you are happy with your sorting criteria, click “OK” to sort the data.

Sorting by Color or Icon

If you have used colors or icons in your data, such as a red X for a bad rating or a green tick for a good rating, you can also use these to sort the data. To do this, click the “Data” tab in the ribbon menu and select “Sort” from the “Sort & Filter” group. This will open the Sort dialog box.

In the dialog box, select “Sort by Color” or “Sort by Icon” from the “Sort On” field, then select “Cell Color” or “Icon” from the “Type” field. To sort the data in ascending order, click the “On Top” button, or to sort in descending order, click the “On Bottom” button. Finally, click “OK” to sort the data.

Sorting with Custom Lists

Custom lists can be used to sort data in Excel in a specific order. To create a custom list, click the “File” tab in the ribbon menu and select “Options”. This will open the Excel Options dialog box. In the dialog box, select “Advanced” and scroll down to the “General” section.

In the “General” section, click the “Edit Custom Lists” button. This will open the “Custom Lists” dialog box. In the dialog box, type the items in your custom list in the order you wish to sort them. Once you have finished, click “Add” and then “OK”.

Using the SORT Function

The SORT function in Excel can also be used to sort data in ascending or descending order. To use the SORT function, select the range of cells that you wish to sort and click the “Formulas” tab in the ribbon menu. From here, select “SORT” from the “Function Library” group.

This will open the “SORT” dialog box. In the dialog box, select the range of cells you wish to sort, then select either “Ascending” or “Descending” from the “Sort On” field. Finally, click “OK” to sort the data.

Few Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Ascending Order?

Ascending order is an arrangement of data from lowest to highest value. In Excel, you can use sorting to arrange data in ascending or descending order. This is helpful for quickly organizing a set of data based on the values in one or more columns.

2. What is the process for sorting in Ascending Order in Excel?

The process for sorting in Ascending Order in Excel is quite simple. First, click on the column heading of the column you want to sort. Next, click on the Data tab in the ribbon and then click on the Sort A-Z button. This will sort the data in ascending order based on the values in the selected column.

3. How do you sort multiple columns in Ascending Order?

Sorting multiple columns in Ascending Order is also quite simple. First, select the columns you want to sort. Next, click on the Data tab in the ribbon and then click on the Sort button. This will open the Sort dialog box where you can select the columns to sort by, as well as the order (ascending or descending).

4. How do you sort by color in Ascending Order?

Sorting by color in Ascending Order is a bit more complex. First, select the cells you want to sort. Next, click on the Home tab in the ribbon and then click on the Sort & Filter button. This will open the Sort dialog box where you can select the column to sort by. Then, click on the Options button and select Sort by Color. Finally, select the order (ascending or descending).

5. How do you sort by cell color in Ascending Order?

Sorting by cell color in Ascending Order is similar to sorting by color in general. First, select the cells you want to sort. Next, click on the Home tab in the ribbon and then click on the Sort & Filter button. This will open the Sort dialog box where you can select the column to sort by. Then, click on the Options button and select Sort by Cell Color. Finally, select the order (ascending or descending).

6. How do you sort by cell icon in Ascending Order?

Sorting by cell icon in Ascending Order is similar to sorting by color. First, select the cells you want to sort. Next, click on the Home tab in the ribbon and then click on the Sort & Filter button. This will open the Sort dialog box where you can select the column to sort by. Then, click on the Options button and select Sort by Cell Icon. Finally, select the order (ascending or descending).

In conclusion, sorting in ascending order in Excel is a simple process that takes just a few clicks. With just a few clicks, you can select the data, hit the “Sort A to Z” button, and you’re done! Whether you’re an experienced Excel user or a beginner, you can quickly and easily sort your data in ascending order.