How to Sort by Multiple Columns in Google Spreadsheets

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This wikiHow teaches you how to sort two or more columns of data based one column in Google Sheets.

Steps

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    Go to https://sheets.google.com in your browser, then click your spreadsheet.
    • If you want to create a new spreadsheet instead, click Blank in the upper-left side of the page instead.
    • If you aren't logged into your Google account, you'll be prompted to sign in with your Google email address and password first.
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    Click and drag your mouse from the top cell in one column all the way over to the bottom cell in another column. [1]
    • The columns you want to sort must be next to each other.
    • If you opened a new spreadsheet, enter your data before continuing.
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    This tab is at the top of the sheet.
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    You'll see this option in the middle of the drop-down menu.
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    Click the drop-down box to the right of the "sort by" prompt, then select a column to use as the basis for sorting.
    • For example: If you had names in column "A" and salaries in column "B", you would select column "A" to sort by name and column "B" to sort by money amount.
    • If the selected columns have a header in the first cell, check the "Data has a header row" box here as well.
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    You can pick ascending order (alphabetical/numerical order) by clicking A → Z , or you can click Z → A to sort in descending order.
    • If you'd like to add another sorting method, click the + Add another sort column link. You can remove extra sorting methods by clicking x to the left of the method.
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    Doing so will sort all selected data according to the column you chose.
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      Tips

      • Ascending order will arrange numbers from least to greatest (1, 2, 3) while descending order will arrange numbers from greatest to least (3, 2, 1).
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      Warnings

      • If there is an empty column between two columns you want to sort, the Sort range option will be greyed out.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/docs/answer/3540681?hl=en&visit_id=1-636355742871440762-351987165&rd=1

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open your Google spreadsheet .
      2. Select the columns you want to sort.
      3. Click Data .
      4. Click Sort range .
      5. Select a column to sort by.
      6. Select a sort order.
      7. Click Sort .

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