How to Sort by Date in Microsoft Excel

Sorting data in Microsoft Excel is a crucial task for organizing and analyzing information. However, sorting by date can be a bit tricky, especially for those who are new to Excel. In this article, we will guide you through the steps on how to sort by date in Microsoft Excel, so you can easily arrange your data in chronological order.

Why Is Sorting by Date Important?

Sorting data by date is essential for various reasons. It allows you to quickly identify trends, track progress, and analyze data over a specific period. For example, if you have a sales report with dates, sorting by date will help you see which products or services are selling the most and when. This information can then be used to make informed business decisions.

How to Sort by Date in Microsoft Excel

Sorting by date in Microsoft Excel is a simple process that can be done in a few easy steps. Follow the instructions below to learn how to sort by date in Excel.

1. Select the data you want to sort by date. This can be a single column or multiple columns.
2. Click on the “Data” tab in the top menu bar.
3. In the “Sort & Filter” section, click on the “Sort” button.
4. A new window will appear. In the “Sort by” drop-down menu, select the column that contains the dates you want to sort.
5. In the “Order” drop-down menu, select “Oldest to Newest” or “Newest to Oldest” depending on how you want the dates to be sorted.
6. Click on the “OK” button to apply the sorting.

Your data will now be sorted by date in the selected column.

Sorting by Date with Multiple Columns

If you have data with multiple columns, you can sort by date in a specific column while keeping the data in the other columns intact. Follow the steps below to learn how to do this.

1. Select the data you want to sort by date, including the column headers.
2. Click on the “Data” tab in the top menu bar.
3. In the “Sort & Filter” section, click on the “Sort” button.
4. A new window will appear. In the “Sort by” drop-down menu, select the column that contains the dates you want to sort.
5. In the “Order” drop-down menu, select “Oldest to Newest” or “Newest to Oldest” depending on how you want the dates to be sorted.
6. Click on the “Add Level” button.
7. In the new row that appears, select the column you want to sort by next. For example, if you want to sort by date and then by sales amount, select the sales amount column.
8. In the “Order” drop-down menu, select “Largest to Smallest” or “Smallest to Largest” depending on how you want the data to be sorted.
9. Click on the “OK” button to apply the sorting.

Your data will now be sorted by date in the first column and then by sales amount in the second column.

Sorting by Date with Custom Date Formats

If your dates are not in the standard date format (mm/dd/yyyy), Excel may not recognize them as dates and will not sort them correctly. In this case, you can use custom date formats to ensure that Excel recognizes the dates correctly. Follow the steps below to learn how to do this.

1. Select the column that contains the dates you want to sort.
2. Right-click on the column and select “Format Cells” from the drop-down menu.
3. In the “Format Cells” window, click on the “Number” tab.
4. In the “Category” list, select “Custom”.
5. In the “Type” field, enter the format you want to use for your dates. For example, if your dates are in the format “dd/mm/yyyy”, enter “dd/mm/yyyy” in the “Type” field.
6. Click on the “OK” button to apply the custom format.
7. Now, follow the steps mentioned earlier to sort by date in Excel.

Your dates will now be sorted correctly, even if they are not in the standard date format.

Tips for Sorting by Date in Excel

Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when sorting by date in Excel.

Use the “Sort & Filter” Option in the Home Tab

Instead of going to the “Data” tab, you can also use the “Sort & Filter” option in the “Home” tab to sort by date. This option is located in the “Editing” section and has a similar interface to the “Sort” button in the “Data” tab.

Use the “Sort” Shortcut

You can also use the “Sort” shortcut to quickly sort your data by date. Simply select the column you want to sort by and press “Alt + A + S + S” on your keyboard. This will bring up the “Sort” window, where you can select the column and order for sorting.

Use the “Sort Warning” Feature

Excel has a “Sort Warning” feature that alerts you if your data is not sorted correctly. This feature can be turned on by going to “File > Options > Advanced” and checking the box next to “Enable fill handle and cell drag-and-drop”. With this feature enabled, if your data is not sorted correctly, a warning message will appear, and you can choose to continue with the sorting or cancel it.

Sorting by Date in Excel Made Easy

Sorting by date in Microsoft Excel is a simple process that can be done in a few easy steps. By following the instructions in this article, you can easily arrange your data in chronological order and gain valuable insights from your data. Remember to use the tips mentioned above to make the sorting process even more efficient. With these tips, you can become an Excel pro in no time!