Microsoft excel can be used to organize your information.A basic but extremely useful function, sorting your data alphabetically, is explained in this guide.
Step 1: It's a good idea to format theheader row.
The top row of your spreadsheet has the names of the columns.If your spreadsheet is entirely text, this row can sometimes be mistaken for part of your data.There are a few ways to prevent this.Make it a different color by bolding the text.There should be no blank cells in your row.If the sort still isn't working, you can use the top ribbon menu to click Home and select the headers row.
Step 2: You can alphabetize the column by selecting it.
The letter above the column is what you can click on.).
Step 3: There is a Data tab.
The data options are in the ribbon menu above the spreadsheet.
Step 4: The sort and filter section is where you'll find it.
The related areas of the ribbon menu have the name under them.The area is labeled Sort & Filter.If you don't see it on the Data menu, you can return to the Home tab and look for a Sort & Filter button in the Editing section.
Step 5: The A Z button is on the screen.
Click the A Z symbol in the Sort and Filter section to sort the spreadsheet in alphabetical order.The spreadsheet will be rearranged in alphabetical order.There is a button in the top left corner of the Sort and Filter section.Click the Z A symbol instead to sort it in reverse alphabetical order.
Step 6: When you use full names in a single cell, you should use this.
alphabetizing will only sort by the first name if you have full names in a single column.You can sort by the last name column if you divide the names into two columns first.
Step 7: A blank column is inserted.
The names column is to the right of this.
Step 8: The formula can be entered for first names.
Make sure to include the space between the quotation marks when entering this formula in the top cell of the new column.If necessary, replace both instances of A with the letter of the column that has the full names listed.The number of the row you are typing in should be replaced with the instance of 1.
Step 9: This formula should be copied to the whole column.
You can copy-paste the formula you just entered.In this column, you should see all the first names.
Step 10: The last name column is created.
To the right of the first name column is a new column.To populate the column with last names, copy-paste this formula.
Step 11: You can sort by the last name column.
The method above describes how to sort the last name column.