Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool that allows you to store, manipulate, and analyze data. One common task when working with Excel is sorting data based on specific criteria. If you have a column containing numerical values in your spreadsheet and you want to arrange them in a specific order, sorting by number value is the way to go. In this article, we will walk you through the process of sorting Excel by number value, step by step.
Step 1: Select the Data Range
Before you can sort your Excel data by number value, you need to select the range that you want to sort. Click and drag your mouse over the cells containing the data you wish to sort.
Step 2: Open the Sort Dialog Box
Once you have selected the data range, navigate to the “Data” tab in the Excel menu. Look for the “Sort” button and click on it to open the Sort Dialog Box.
Step 3: Specify the Sort Criteria
In the Sort Dialog Box, you can define the criteria for sorting your data. Under the “Sort by” drop-down menu, select the column that contains the numerical values you want to sort. Ensure that the “Values” option is selected in the “Sort On” drop-down menu.
Step 4: Choose the Sort Order
After specifying the sort criteria, you need to select the sort order. In the “Order” drop-down menu within the Sort Dialog Box, choose either “Smallest to Largest” or “Largest to Smallest” depending on your preference.
Step 5: Apply the Sort
The final step is to apply the sort to your selected data range. Click on the “OK” button in the Sort Dialog Box. Your data will now be sorted according to the number value you specified.
How to Sort Excel by Number Value?
To sort Excel by number value, follow these steps:
1. Select the data range you want to sort.
2. Open the Sort Dialog Box from the “Data” tab.
3. Specify the sort criteria by selecting the column with your numerical values and choosing “Values” in the “Sort On” drop-down menu.
4. Choose the sort order, either “Smallest to Largest” or “Largest to Smallest”.
5. Apply the sort.
Related FAQs:
1. How can I sort Excel by multiple columns?
To sort Excel by multiple columns, open the Sort Dialog Box and specify the primary, secondary, and additional sort levels.
2. Can I sort only a specific range of cells within a column?
Yes, you can select a specific range of cells within a column and apply the sorting process to only those cells.
3. Is it possible to reverse the sort order after it has been applied?
Yes, you can reverse the sort order by selecting the sorted column, going back to the Sort Dialog Box, and choosing the opposite order.
4. Can I sort data in a table without selecting the entire range?
Yes, you can sort data in a table by selecting a single cell within that table. Excel will automatically detect the table boundaries for sorting.
5. How can I sort data in descending order using a keyboard shortcut?
To sort data in descending order, use the keyboard shortcut “Alt + H + S + S + Enter”.
6. Can I sort data based on a custom list?
Yes, you can sort data based on a custom list by specifying the custom list in the Sort Dialog Box.
7. Is it possible to sort without changing the position of the header row?
Yes, you can ensure that the header row remains stationary by checking the “My data has headers” box within the Sort Dialog Box.
8. Can I sort data in Excel using VBA macros?
Yes, you can write VBA macros to automate the sorting process based on specific criteria.
9. How can I sort data in Excel using formulas?
Sorting data in Excel using formulas is not possible. Sorting is a manual or programmatically driven action.
10. What happens if I try to sort cells with mixed numerical and text values?
Excel may generate a warning or prompt you to convert the text to numbers before sorting. It will not sort them together seamlessly.
11. Is it possible to sort data based on conditional formatting?
No, conditional formatting does not affect the sorting order of data in Excel.
12. Can I undo the sorting action in Excel?
Yes, you can use the “Undo” button in the Excel toolbar or press “Ctrl + Z” to undo the sorting action.