Google Sheets has some useful tools that you can use when working with data. If you like things in a particular way, then you’ve probably needed a way to organize your data in Google Sheets. One of these ways is to alphabetize Google Sheets.
You can use multiple ways to alphabetize data in Google Sheets (i.e., sort data in alphabetical order in Google Sheets). You can also use these same methods when you want to sort data based on the numerical value or date.
Organizing your data in alphabetical order on Google Sheets is not a difficult task. For this article, we will show all how to alphabetize in Google Sheets in every way possible.
So, let’s get started
Table of Contents
In Short: How to Alphabetize a Column in Google Sheets
Alphabetizing in good for the brain. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do alphabetical order in Google Sheets:
- Select the column you want to alphabetize
- Go to Data > Sort range
- Choose Sort range by column (A to Z) if you want it to be ascending and Sort range by column (Z to A) if you want it in reverse alphabetical order.
How to Alphabetize in Google Sheets Using the SORT Function
This article will show you how to make Google Sheets show in alphabetical order. The SORT function is one way of using Google Sheets alphabetical order formula. You can easily alphabetize a single column and multiple columns of data and sort data in other ways.
Alphabetizing Single Column Data
Suppose you have a dataset as shown below, and you are wondering how to alphabetize a column in Google Sheets in ascending order (A to Z).
Below is the formula, in the formula bar, that will sort this data alphabetically in ascending order (A to Z):
=SORT(A2:A12)
While the SORT function can take more arguments, if you want to quickly sort a single column data alphabetically (A to Z), you just need to give that range as the argument in the formula.
Also, note that the result of this SORT formula is an array. It occupies the same range size as that of the input range. Once you have used this formula, you won’t be able to change any part of the array.
For example, if you want to delete one single cell from the result, you won’t be able to do it. You can delete the entire formula result, but not just one cell value.
If you want to change a part of the result, you can first convert the formula result to values and then make the changes.
In case the cell (where the resulting data is to appear) is already filled, the formula will give you an error.
One of the best parts about using a formula to alphabetize data in Google Sheets is that the resulting data is dynamic. This means that if you change any cell in the original dataset, the resulting data will automatically adjust the sort and give you the updated result.
However, with this formula, you can’t use the sort Z-A option meaning you can’t sort the sheet in descending order. For that, you’d have to add a False argument to the formula. The next example shows Google Sheets how to alphabetize and tackle multiple columns.
How to Alphabetize Multiple Columns Data in Google Sheets
If you have a dataset with more than one column, you can still use the SORT function to alphabetize data in multiple columns based on one of the columns.
For example, suppose you have a dataset shown below and want to sort this entire dataset alphabetically using the country names.
The below formula can do this:
=SORT(A2:B11,1,FALSE)
The above formula takes three arguments:
- range: the range that you want to sort. Select all the columns here that you want to sort
- sort_column: The column based on which you want to sort. In this example, it’s the second column that has the GDP numbers
- is_ascending: TRUE if you want the sorting to be ascending and FALSE if you want it to be descending. We have chosen FALSE as we want the highest GDP country at the top.
Alphabetizing Data Using In-Built Sort Options
The SORT function covered above gives you the dynamic result, which is linked to the original dataset and changes if the original data changes.
If you just want to alphabetize the data and get static value, you can use the in-built sorting options in Google Sheets.
Suppose you have the dataset as shown below, and you want to alphabetize this data (A to Z):
Below are the steps to alphabetize this data in Google Sheets:
- Select the entire column
- Click the Data option in the menu
- Click on the ‘Sort range‘ option.
- Choose Sort range by column A (A to Z)
- If you select Advanced range sorting options, a dialogue box will appear. The Sort Range dialog box will give you advanced range sorting options. Click on the option ‘Data has header row’. If your data doesn’t have a header row, you can keep this unchecked.
- In the ‘Sort by’ dropdown menu, make sure the correct header is selected (in this example, since we only have one column, that header is selected by default)
- Select the Sort criteria as A to Z
- Click on Sort.
The steps above would instantly sort the data alphabetically from A to Z.
In case you have multiple columns and you want to alphabetize the entire dataset based on one column, you can do that as well. You can also arrange your data in reverse alphabetical order by choosing Z-A.
Suppose you have the data set as shown above, and you want to sort this data alphabetically (by country names).
Below are the steps to alphabetize this dataset:
- Select the entire dataset (including the headers)
- Click the Data option in the menu
- Click on the ‘Sort range’ option
- In the Sort Range dialog box, click on the option ‘Data has header row’.
- In the ‘Sort by’ drop-down, make sure the correct header is selected (in this example, select the Country column)
- Select the Sort criteria as A to Z
- Click on the Sort button.
The above steps would instantly sort the entire dataset alphabetically based on the country names.
How to Add Multiple Sorting Conditions
You can also add multiple sorting conditions by adding another sort column. This will sort your data alphabetically based on all the columns you’ve added. Let’s look at our spreadsheet example below:
We can sort the data alphabetically based on country to any country from while still keeping our rows intact. Here’s how to make Google Sheets in alphabetical order with multiple conditions:
- Select the data range.
- Go to Data > Sort range.
- Select Advance range sorting options. A dialogue box will appear.
- In the dialogue box, click Add another sort column.
- Choose the other sort column you want to add from the drop-down menu.
- Click Sort.
The data will have the first column arranged alphabetically then the second column will be organized without affecting the first row. For example, in our example sheet, the second column has 4 different countries for Asia, so they will be arranged in Alphabetical order.
Freeze Header Rows
Freezing rows is a useful way to view data conveniently in Google Sheets by locking the columns or sows so that when you’re scrolling through your sheet, you remain on the screen.
Freezing is also necessary when sorting your data in alphabetical Google Sheets order if your Sheet has a header row. Freezing the header row ensures that the header does not get sorted along with the rest of the data.
To freeze rows or columns, select View on the toolbar, then Freeze. You will get a dropdown menu with options of how many rows are how many columns you want to freeze. Choose the number of rows or columns you want to freeze.
For a single line header, which is common, you would select View, Freeze, then 1 row. Now, if you scroll down your worksheet, you will see that the row or column you have frozen remains on the screen. Now you can sort the rest of your data alphabetically without affecting the frozen row.
How to Alphabetize Tabs in Google Sheets
If you’re wondering, “Can Google Sheets alphabetize tabs?” the answer is yes! The easiest way to sort tabs in alphabetic order in Google Sheets is to move them manually. To do that, you simply click and drag the sheets to the positions you want them in. This is the most straightforward to sort or alphabetize tabs in Google Sheets.
But you can also use Google app scripts to do this, although this is a much more complicated method.
Go to App Scripts and in the script window paste the following formula :
function sortSheets () {
var ss = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet();
var sheetNameArray = [];
var sheets = ss.getSheets();
for (var i = 0; i < sheets.length; i++) {
sheetNameArray.push(sheets[i].getName());
}
sheetNameArray.sort();
for( var j = 0; j < sheets.length; j++ ) {
ss.setActiveSheet(ss.getSheetByName(sheetNameArray[j]));
ss.moveActiveSheet(j + 1);
}
}
Save the project, then click Run. You might have to give authorization with your Google account. Once the project has been completed, go back to your sheets, and you will see that your tabs have been arranged into alphabetical order sheets.
How to Sort Alphabetically Using a Filter Option
You can also use FILTER to sort your data in alphabetical order. Filtering comes with many options, including sort by color.
- Select the data range.
- Go to Data > Create filter. Filters will appear on the header row.
- Click the filter sign in the header row to show the filter view. There you will find options to sort your data either from A to Z or from Z to A.
Alphabetically Sorting Your Data in Google Sheets on Your Smartphone
If you’re using Google Sheets or an Android you might want to use the Google Sheets ABC order. To sort a data cell range in your Google Sheet app on your smartphone, you need to follow these steps:
- First, open the Google Sheets application on your phone and log in to the app using your credentials.
- Choose a Google Sheet to edit by tapping on it. You might have to scroll down to find your sheet if you happen to have multiple sheets stored in your app.
- Locate the data column that you want to assort alphabetically. You will find the column’s letter at the top of the column. Tap it to highlight the entire column’s data.
- If you tap the letter another time, a small menu will appear.
- Go through the menu and tap on the arrow labeled “More” until you spot the Sort A – Z option.
- If you have an Android phone, you must tap the icon that looks like three vertically or horizontally fixed dots.
- Select Create filter and locate the Sort A – Z option.
- Tap on “Sort A – Z” to alphabetically arrange the data in your chosen column.
There you have it. You now know how to alphabetize your data in Google Sheets.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Sort Alphabetically in Google Sheets Without the First Row?
If you want to exclude the first row from the Google Sheet alphabetical order, you can do so by labeling it as a header row:
- Select the column
- Go to Data > Sort range
- Select Advanced range sorting options. A dialogue box will appear.
- Check the box for Data has header row.
- Click Sort.
How to Alphabetize Lists in Google Sheets and Keep Rows Together?
A good way to learn how to organize Google Sheets alphabetically while keeping your rows together is by sorting the entire sheet. To do this you can go to Data > Sort sheet and select the sort order in which you want to alphabetize your sheet.
If you use sort range instead, Google Sheets will only alphabetize the data that is selected, and the rows will remain the same, which means your data will be skewed.
How Do I Sort One Column in Google Sheets without Affecting the Others?
To sort columns without affecting the rest of your data, you can use the sort range option in Google Sheets. Select the column you want to sort and go to Data > Sort range and select the order in which you want to alphabetize your sheet. This will only affect the data that is selected.
Can You Alphabetize Sheets in Google Sheets?
Yes, you can alphabetize sheets by using the SORT formula or by using Google Sheets’ in-built options. By heading to Data > Sort. This article shows an in-depth method on Google Sheets and how to alphabetize.
Is There a Way to Automatically Alphabetize in Google Sheets?
Yes, by using Google Sheets’ inbuilt sorting options, you can automatically alphabetize data in Google Sheets. Or you can alphabetize in Google Sheets with Google Apps Script.
Conclusion
In this article, we covered How to Alphabetize in Google Sheets. It has various tools to help you sort your data, including the sort function and inbuilt options.. In our other articles, you can learn more about sorting in Google Sheets, such as how to sort columns horizontally.
Learn More
Now that you’ve learned how to sort in Google Sheets, you may be interested in upping your skills. Udemy has plenty of courses available to help you get better at Google Sheets or even the whole Google Suite.
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