SORT

• How to use SORT formula?
• Examples of using SORT formula
• SORT formula not working?
• Similar formulas to SORT

Usage

Use the SORT formula with the syntax shown below, it has 3 required parameters and 2 optional parameters:

=SORT(range, sort_column, is_ascending, [sort_column2], [is_ascending2])

1. range (required):
   The range of cells to be sorted. This parameter can be a range reference or an array of values.
2. sort_column (required):
   The index or column number of the column to sort by. This parameter can be a number or a reference to a cell containing a number.
3. is_ascending (required):
   A boolean value that determines whether the data should be sorted in ascending or descending order. Use TRUE for ascending and FALSE for descending.
4. sort_column2 (optional):
   An optional parameter that specifies a second column to sort by. If this parameter is used, the data will be sorted by the first column, and then by the second column.
5. is_ascending2 (optional):
   An optional parameter that specifies the sort order for the second column. This parameter should be used in conjunction with the sort_column2 parameter.

Examples

Sort a list of names alphabetically

The SORT function can be used to sort a list of names in alphabetical order. This is useful for organizing contact lists or other types of directories.

Sort data by date

The SORT function can be used to sort data by date. This is useful for analyzing trends or tracking changes over time.

Sort data by multiple columns

The SORT function can be used to sort data by multiple columns. This is useful for prioritizing data based on more than one criteria.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect range selected

One common mistake when using the SORT formula is to select an incorrect range, which can result in unexpected sorting. Double-check that you have selected the correct range.

Invalid sort_column value

Another common mistake is to provide an invalid sort_column value, which can cause the formula to fail or sort incorrectly. Make sure that the sort_column value is a valid column reference.

Missing is_ascending parameter

If the is_ascending parameter is omitted, the formula may sort in the wrong order. Make sure to include the is_ascending parameter and set it to either true or false.

Incorrect sort_column2 value

If you provide an incorrect sort_column2 value, the formula may not sort as intended. Double-check that the value you provide is a valid column reference.

Incorrect is_ascending2 value

If you provide an incorrect is_ascending2 value, the formula may not sort as intended. Make sure that the value is either true or false.

Related Formulas

The following functions are similar to SORT or are often used with it in a formula:

• FILTER

  The FILTER formula in Google Sheets is used to filter a range of data based on specified conditions. It returns a new range that only includes the rows that meet the specified conditions. This formula is commonly used to extract specific data from a larger dataset.

• QUERY

  The QUERY function in Google Sheets is used to query data from a specified dataset. The function allows users to filter and sort data based on specific criteria. The function is commonly used in data analysis and reporting, as well as in creating dynamic dashboards.

• SORTN

  The SORTN formula is used to sort a range of data based on one or more columns and return a specified number of rows. It is commonly used to filter and sort large sets of data to quickly identify the top or bottom results. The formula can also handle ties in the data by either displaying all tied rows or only the first or last tied row based on the display_ties_mode parameter.

• ARRAYFORMULA

  The ARRAYFORMULA formula in Google Sheets allows for the application of a formula to an entire column or range of data, without needing to manually copy the formula to each cell. It is most commonly used to simplify and automate complex calculations across large data sets.

Learn More

You can learn more about the SORT Google Sheets function on Google Support.