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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  1. 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.
  2. 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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  3. This tab is at the top of the sheet.
  4. You'll see this option in the middle of the drop-down menu.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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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