Spreadsheets are all about recording and managing data, but sometimes there is too much to understand or it is disorganised
- Columns of cells can be sorted alphabetically and numerically
- All data remains visible (restore hidden data before sorting)
We will look at only the Excel/ribbon method
(See here for Google Sheets methods)
Sorting
Sorting an entire sheet, or range (eg a small table)?
-
- Sort sheet organises all of the data in your worksheet by one column
- Sort range sorts the data in a range of cells
Helpful when working with a sheet that contains several tables.
Sorting a range will not affect other content in the worksheet - Tables of data need to have headers for identification
- when using the Sort dialogue,
mark My data has headers
- Select any cell in the column you want to sort
eg Last Name - Using the Data tab click the A-Z command to sort A to Z etc
- The entire worksheet will be sorted by the selected column
eg the worksheet is now sorted by last name.
- A range is a selected area (ie limited) of data to sort
It needs to include a header - With the chosen area selected (ie your table)
Using the Data tab, select Sort - In the Sort dialog box, choose,
- the column (by header) you want to sort
- Sort On values (numbers) or text
- Order (by) – changes depending on whether its numbers or text
- Select a cell in the column you want to sort (eg T-Shirt Size)
- Using the Data tab, select Sort
- Column – (should be T-Shirt Size)
- Choose Order > Custom list
- Select New List
- Write a list
- the actual cell values (options) in the column
- in the order you want to be sorted
- Add the list
- Select your new list
- Back in the Sort dialogue, your list will be in the Order option
- OK to Sort
The video covers both simple and advanced sorting techniques (the simple methods covered in the first 2 minutes)
- 4.30 minutes
- Types of sorting
- Sorting sheets and ranges – !
- Creating a custom sort
- Adding levels
- Click the Challenge tab in the bottom-left of the workbook.
- For the main table, create a custom sort that sorts by Grade from Smallest to Largest and then by Camper Name from A to Z.
- Create a sort for the Additional Information section. Sort by Counselor (Column H) from A to Z.
Summary
- highlight the data you want to sort
- select option
- sort ascending/descending
- filter by column header