MS Excel: Working with the SORT Formula Explained
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
The SORT function is a modern Excel formula that allows you to sort data automatically using a formula. Unlike manual sorting, SORT creates a dynamic, live version of your data that updates whenever the source data changes.
It’s a simple but powerful tool for building professional reports and dashboards.
What Does the SORT Formula Do?
SORT arranges data in ascending or descending order based on a column or row you specify.
For example:
Sort sales from highest to lowest
Arrange names alphabetically
Order transactions by date
And the best part — it updates automatically.
The Structure of SORT
=SORT(array, [sort_index], [sort_order], [by_col])
array – The range of data you want to sort
sort_index – The column (or row) number to sort by
sort_order – 1 for ascending, -1 for descending
by_col – Optional (TRUE to sort by column instead of row)
Basic Example
To sort values in A2:A20 alphabetically:
=SORT(A2:A20)
This sorts in ascending order by default.
Sorting in Descending Order
To sort sales from highest to lowest:
=SORT(A2:B20, 2, -1)
This:
Sorts the range A2:B20
Uses column 2 as the sorting column
Orders it descending
Why SORT Is Useful
SORT is ideal for:
✔ Dynamic reports
✔ Dashboards
✔ Ranking performance
✔ Financial summaries
✔ Keeping data organised automatically
It eliminates the need to manually re-sort data every time it changes.
Combining SORT with Other Functions
SORT works very well with:
UNIQUE → Sorted list of distinct values
FILTER → Sort filtered results
SEQUENCE → Create dynamic ordered lists
Example:
=SORT(UNIQUE(A2:A20))
This returns a sorted list of unique values.
Why It Matters
Before dynamic array functions, sorting required manual steps or complex formulas. SORT makes the process automatic, clean, and professional.
It’s especially valuable when building live dashboards or reports that update regularly.
Final Thoughts
The SORT function helps you organise data efficiently while keeping your spreadsheets dynamic. If you want modern, automated Excel reports, mastering SORT is an essential step.
Simple to use — powerful in practice.
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