Sorting and Filtering Data in Excel

These are very complex subject and could easily have their own courses but there are some basics you can learn quickly. Sorting data in Excel is extremely useful. You can sort alphabetically or numerically which includes by date and similar sorting.

The other important feature is filtering data in Excel. Sometimes you don't want certain rows showing up when you are analyzing the data and that is where sorting comes in. You can sort by the values in a cell or just part of a value or if a cell doesn't contain a certain value, etc... You will see when you look at a monster I like to call autofilter (because that is its actual name).

These features: sorting and filtering will come in very handy but you may not use them often.

Data for the Sorting and Filterting Tutorial:
Image Tutorial

  1. Download the sorting and filtering data excel spreadsheet.
    Click here to download the Sorting and Filtering Data Spreadsheet
  2. Click on Sorting and Filtering Data Spreadsheet above.
  3. Click Open (if it does not open automatically).
How to Sort Data by Column:
Image Tutorial
  1. Highlight the Cells with the data you would like to sort. (in this case, A2 to E16)
    To highlight A2 to E16 (in this case) you can place your pointer over A2,
    click and hold the left mouse button then drag over E16 and release the button
  2. Click on "Data" on the menu bar.
  3. Click on "Sort".


  4. Scenario 1: We want to sort by the salesmans ID number which is in column B and we want them to count up.
    • Click on the arrow beside sort by and choose "ID".
    • Click on "ascending" beside that box.
    • Click in the circle beside "header row" at the bottom since our columns are labeled (ie. row 2 has the title for what each column represents such as name, ID,...
    • Click OK.

    Scenario 2: We are having a contest and want to know who sold the most items (not highest value).
    • Click on the arrow beside sort by and choose "Items Sold".
    • Click on "descending" beside that box.
    • Click in the circle beside "header row" at the bottom since our columns are labeled.
    • Click OK.

    Scenario 3: We are letting all salespersons see the results and want them to find their name easily so we will sort them alphabetically.
    • Click on the arrow beside sort by and choose "Name".
    • Click on "ascending" beside that box.
    • Click in the circle beside "header row" at the bottom since our columns are labeled.
    • Click OK.

  5. Now go back to working on your spreadsheet once it is sorted how you would like it.
How to Filter Data by Values:
Image Tutorial
  1. Download the sorting and filtering data excel spreadsheet.
    Sorting and Filtering Data Spreadsheet
  2. Click on Sorting and Filtering Data Spreadsheet above.
  3. Click Open.
  4. Highlight the Cells with the data you would like to filter. (in this case, A2 to E16)
    To highlight A2 to E16 (in this case) you can place your pointer over A2,
    click and hold the left mouse button then drag over E16 and release the button
  5. Click on "Data" on the menu bar.
  6. Click on "Filter".
  7. Click on "AutoFilter".


  8. Scenario 1: We want to know who we don't owe commission to so we need to filter out people who don't get commission which is represented by the value "none" in this case.
    • Click on the arrow on the right side of "Commission".
    • Click on "none" in the dropdown box.
    • Notice the arrow is now blue. That means this column is being filtered.

    Scenario 2: We are done being cheap and not paying commission so we want to see all the rows again.
    • Click on the arrow on the right side of "Commission".
    • Click on "(All)" in the dropdown box. This will show us all our rows again.

    Scenario 3: We want to give everyone that sold over 10 items a bonus without sorting so we will only show these salespeople.
    • Click on the arrow beside sort by and choose "Items Sold".
    • Click on "(Custom...)" beside that box.
    • Click on the box where it says equals and chose "is greater than".
    • In the box to the right of "is greater than", click and enter "9".
    • Click "OK".

  9. Now your data is filtered. You can get it back to normal by clicking on the arrow beside the filter column (blue arrow) and choosing "(all)".
That is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to sorting and filtering but it should give you a good idea of what you can sort in excel and what you can filter in excel. These basics are often enough for most uses but you can always learn more if you need it.

If you had any problems completing this module or think some details need more explanation, please let us know. We also welcome any other feedback.
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