How to Use the SORT Function in Excel: The Complete Guide
The SORT function in Excel is a great way to quickly and easily sort data. It can be used to sort values in ascending or descending order, based on the column you specify. The function uses four arguments: array, sort_index, sort_order, and by_col. In this blog post, we will look at how to use each of these arguments to sort your data.
What Does The SORT Function Do?
The SORT function in Excel sorts the contents of a range or array in ascending or descending order with a formula. The result from SORT is a dynamic array of values that will “spill” onto the worksheet into a range. If values in the source data change, the result from SORT will update automatically.
How Can I Use The SORT Function In Financial Analysis?
The SORT function is often used in financial analysis to sort data by certain criteria. For example, you may want to sort data by a company’s name or by the revenue generated. Sorting data can be a helpful way to organize and analyze your data.
What Are The Benefits Of Using The SORT Function?
There are several benefits of using the SORT function in Excel. First, it is a very quick and easy way to sort data. Second, the function is dynamic, which means that if the source data changes, the sorted data will update automatically. This can be extremely helpful when you are working with large amounts of data. Finally, the SORT function is very versatile and can be used in a variety of different ways to sort data.
Where To Find It?
Option 1:
You can find the SORT function in the Formulas tab of Excel under Lookup & Reference
Option 2:
You can use Formula Builder to walk you through the formula step by step.
Option 3:
You can manually type the formula into any cell.
The Formula
=SORT (array, [sort_index], [sort_order], [by_col])
- array (required) – Range or array to sort
- sort_index (optional) – Column index to use for sorting (defaults to 1)
- sort_order (optional) – 1 = Ascending (default); -1 = Descending
- by_col (optional) – TRUE = sort by column; FALSE = sort by row (default)
Let’s Take a Look at A Real-World Examples
Excel Workbook
Coming Soon
Video Walkthrough
Coming Soon
Example
Coming Soon
Tips and Tricks
A Dynamic Function
The result from SORT is a dynamic array of values that will “spill” onto the worksheet into a range. If values in the source data change, the result from SORT will update automatically.
Getting An Error
The most common error when using the SORT function is #SPILL. This means that there is not enough room for the dynamic range to update. Clear out any cells with data or move the formula to another cell where there is enough space.
Let’s Recap
The SORT function in Excel is a quick and easy way to sort data. It can be used to sort values in ascending or descending order, based on the column you specify. This function takes four arguments: array, sort_index, sort_order, and by_col. In this blog post, we looked at how to use each of these arguments to sort your data. The SORT function is dynamic, which means that if the source data changes, the sorted data will update automatically. This can be extremely helpful when you are working with large amounts of data. Finally, it’s very versatile and can be used in a variety of different ways to sort data.
I hope this blog post has been helpful in teaching you how to use the SORT function in Excel. Thanks for reading!
Have any questions? Are there other topics you would like us to cover? Leave a comment below and let us know! Make sure to subscribe to our Newsletter to receive exclusive financial news right to your inbox.
