How to Sort Dates in Excel

In many instances, Excel users are required to sort data based on specific criteria, including dates. However, sorting dates in Excel may pose some challenges, particularly when the date formats are irregular or inconsistent. In this blog post, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to sort dates in Excel using different methods. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced Excel user, you’ll find the steps in this guide simple and effective.

In many instances, Excel users are required to sort data based on specific criteria, including dates. However, sorting dates in Excel may pose some challenges, particularly when the date formats are irregular or inconsistent. In this blog post, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to sort dates in Excel using different methods. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced Excel user, you’ll find the steps in this guide simple and effective.

Method 1: Sort Dates in Excel in Chronological Order

Chronologically sorting your data puts the oldest or earliest date first, followed by the next oldest, and so on. Here’s how to sort dates chronologically in Excel:

1. Select the column that contains the dates you want to sort.
2. Click on the Data tab in the ribbon at the top of the screen.
3. Click on the “Sort Oldest to Newest” button in the Sort & Filter group.
4. Alternatively, you can click on the “Sort Newest to Oldest” button to sort from newest to oldest.
5. Click “OK” to sort the data in the selected column.

Method 2: Sort Dates in Excel by Month or Year

Sometimes you want to sort your dates by month or year rather than chronologically. Here’s how to do it:

1. Select the column that contains the dates you want to sort.
2. Click on the Data tab in the ribbon at the top of the screen.
3. Click on the “Sort & Filter” button in the Sort & Filter group.
4. Select “Sort Oldest to Newest” or “Sort Newest to Oldest.”
5. Click “OK.”
6. Select the column again.
7. Click on the “Sort & Filter” button again.
8. Select “Sort Smallest to Largest” or “Sort Largest to Smallest.”
9. Choose whether you want to sort by month or year, and click “OK”.

Method 3: Sort Dates in Excel Using Custom Sorting

If your date format is not being recognized by Excel, or you want to sort based on a specific order, you can use custom sorting. Here’s how:

1. Select the column that contains the dates you want to sort.
2. Click on the Data tab in the ribbon at the top of the screen.
3. Click on the “Sort & Filter” button in the Sort & Filter group.
4. Select “Custom Sort.”
5. Select the column containing the dates you want to sort in the “Sort by” dropdown list.
6. Select the type of sorting you want to use, such as “Values,” “Cell Color,” or “Font Color.”
7. Click “OK.”

Sorting dates in Excel can be a bit tricky, especially if the date formats are inconsistent. However, by using the methods we’ve discussed above, you can quickly sort your dates based on various criteria, including chronologically, by month or year, and using custom sorting. With these tips and tricks, sorting dates in Excel will be a breeze!

Additional Tips and Tricks for Sorting Dates in Excel

Here are a few additional tips and tricks to help you sort dates in Excel more efficiently:

Convert Dates to a Standard Format

If your dates are not formatted consistently, Excel may have difficulty sorting them. To ensure that Excel recognizes your dates properly, you can convert them to a standard format, such as “yyyy-mm-dd”. Here’s how to do it:

1. Select the column that contains the dates you want to convert.
2. Right-click your selection and choose “Format Cells.”
3. In the Format Cells dialog box, select “Date.”
4. Select the desired date format.
5. Click “OK.”

Use Filters to Sort Dates

If you need to sort your dates temporarily, you can use filters. Filters allow you to view specific data based on criteria that you set. Here’s how to use filters to sort dates:

1. Select the column that contains the dates you want to filter.
2. Click on the Data tab in the ribbon at the top of the screen.
3. Click on the “Filter” button in the Sort & Filter group.
4. Click on the drop-down arrow in the column header and select the criteria you want to sort by.

Use Formulas to Sort Dates

You can also use formulas to sort your dates in Excel. For example, you can use the “sort” function to sort a range of dates based on criteria you set. Here’s an example:

=SORT(A2:A10,1,-1)

This formula sorts the range A2:A10 in descending order, based on the first column. You can modify the formula to suit your needs.

Sorting dates in Excel can be a challenge, but by using the tips and tricks we’ve discussed above, you can sort your dates quickly and efficiently. Remember to format your dates consistently, use filters for temporary sorting, and formulas for more complex sorting scenarios. With these tools at your disposal, sorting dates in Excel will be a breeze!

FAQ

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about sorting dates in Excel:

Q: How do I sort by day of the week in Excel?

A: To sort dates by day of the week in Excel, follow these steps: first, select the column you want to sort; then, click on the “Sort & Filter” button in the ribbon; finally, choose “Custom Sort” and select the “Day of the Week” option from the “Sort On” dropdown menu. You can then choose the order you want the days to be sorted in.

Q: Can I sort dates that are stored as text?

A: Yes, you can sort dates that are stored as text by converting them to the date format. Select the column that contains the dates, then right-click and select “Format Cells.” In the Format Cells dialog, select “Date” and choose the desired format. Once the dates are in a recognizable date format, you can sort them like any other dates.

Q: How do I sort dates in Excel without changing the order of other columns?

A: You can sort dates in Excel without changing the order of other columns by selecting the column you want to sort, then click on the “Sort & Filter” button in the ribbon. Next, choose “Custom Sort” and select the “Sort left to right” option. This will ensure that only the selected column is sorted, and not the rest of the worksheet.

Q: How do I sort dates in Excel by month and day only?

A: To sort dates in Excel by month and day only, you can use a formula that extracts the month and day from the date. Here’s an example:

=TEXT(A2,”mm/dd”)

This formula extracts the month and day from the date in cell A2 and returns it in the mm/dd format. You can then use the “Sort A to Z” or “Sort Z to A” option to sort the dates.

Q: How do I sort dates in Excel by quarter?

A: You can sort dates in Excel by quarter by first converting the dates to their respective quarters. To do this, enter the following formula in a new column:

=ROUNDUP(MONTH(A2)/3,0)

Next, sort the dates by the new column by selecting the column you want to sort by and clicking on the “Sort & Filter” button in the ribbon. Choose “Sort Smallest to Largest” or “Sort Largest to Smallest” to sort the dates by quarter.