How to Add Sort Button in Excel

If you have ever worked with large spreadsheets in Excel, you understand how time-consuming it can be to search for specific data or organize it according to a particular criteria. As such, the sort function in Excel comes in handy when you need to rearrange data in ascending or descending order for clarity and consistency. While Excel has a default sort icon, many users do not find the feature useful, and instead may want to add a sort button to their toolbar or ribbon to make it even more convenient for them to sort data. In this blog post, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to add a sort button in Excel to help you sort your data quickly and efficiently.

Step 1: Customize the Quick Access Toolbar

The easiest way to add a sort button in Excel is by customizing your Quick Access Toolbar. This toolbar is located at the top-left corner of the Excel interface and is customizable to include frequently used features such as the sort function.

1. Click on the downward-facing arrow on the right side of the Quick Access Toolbar
2. Select “More Commands” from the drop-down menu that appears.

Step 2: Add the Sort Button

Once you have accessed the “More Commands” dialog box, you can proceed to add the sort button to the quick access toolbar by following these steps:

1. From the “Choose commands from” drop-down menu, select “All Commands”.
2. Scroll down the list of commands until you find “Sort”.
3. Select “Sort” and click on the “Add” button to add the sort button to the Quick Access Toolbar.
4. Click on the “OK” button to save the change and exit the “Excel Options” dialog box.

Step 3: Sort the Data

Now that you have added the sort button to your Quick Access Toolbar, you can use it to sort data in Excel quickly and easily.

1. Select the data range you want to sort in your Excel worksheet.
2. Click on the “Sort” button in your Quick Access Toolbar to open the “Sort” dialog box.
3. Select the column you want to sort by from the “Sort by” drop-down list.
4. Select the sort order you prefer and click “OK”.

Bonus: Using Shortcut Keys

If you prefer using shortcut keys to access commonly used Excel functions, you can assign a shortcut key to your newly added sort button. To do this, follow these simple steps:

1. Go back to the “Excel Options” dialog box by clicking on the downward-facing arrow on the right side of the Quick Access Toolbar.
2. Select “Customize Ribbon” from the drop-down menu that appears.
3. Click on the “Customize” button next to “Keyboard shortcuts”.
4. In the “Categories” box, select “Commands Not in the Ribbon”.
5. In the “Commands” box, select “Sort”.
6. Click on the “Press new shortcut keys” box, and type the shortcut key combination you prefer.
7. Click on the “Assign” button to assign the shortcut keys.
8. Click on the “OK” button to save the changes and exit the “Excel Options” dialog box.

Conclusion

A sort button is an essential tool for anyone who works with Excel spreadsheets and needs to sort data quickly and easily. By following these simple steps, you can add a sort button to your Quick Access Toolbar, assign a shortcut key, and sort your data with ease!

Additional Tips for Sorting Data in Excel

Sorting data in Excel is an essential task, and it’s crucial to do it correctly. Here are some additional tips to help you sort your data effectively:

1. Sort by Multiple Columns

If you have an Excel worksheet with several columns of data, you can sort the data by multiple columns. To do this, select the columns you want to sort and click on the “Sort” button. In the “Sort” dialog box, select the columns you want to sort by, and choose the sort order you prefer.

2. Include Headers in Sorting

Headers in an Excel worksheet are important when sorting data. By including headers in the sort function, you can ensure that the headers remain at the top of the sorted data. To include headers in the sort, check the “My data has headers” option in the “Sort” dialog box.

3. Use Filters to Refine Your Data

If you want to refine your data further, you can use filters to exclude or include specific items in your data. To use filters, click on the “Filter” button on the “Data” tab and select the columns you want to filter. You can then select or exclude specific items in your data by checking or unchecking the boxes in the “Filter” drop-down list.

Adding a sort button to your Excel toolbar is a quick and easy way to streamline your workflow and improve the accuracy of your data analysis. Using the steps outlined in this blog post, you can customize your Quick Access Toolbar, add a sort button, and sort your data with ease. Remember to follow best practices when sorting your data, such as including headers and using filters to refine your results. With these simple tips, you can become an Excel data sorting expert in no time!

FAQs about Adding a Sort Button in Excel

Here are some of the commonly asked questions about adding a sort button in Excel:

1. What is a sort button in Excel?

A sort button in Excel is a tool that allows you to organize data in your worksheet in a particular order, such as by date, name, or value. The sort button is useful when you want to quickly rearrange data in an ascending or descending order.

2. How do I customize my Quick Access Toolbar in Excel?

To customize your Quick Access Toolbar in Excel, you need to click on the downwards-facing arrow at the right side of the toolbar. From the dropdown menu, select “More Commands” and customize the toolbar by adding or removing features you prefer. This is where you can add a sort button to your toolbar.

3. What is the benefit of adding a sort button to my Quick Access Toolbar?

The main benefit of adding a sort button to your Quick Access Toolbar is that it gives you quick and easy access to the sort function, which simplifies the process of rearranging data and makes your workflow more efficient. With the sort button only a click away, you don’t have to go through the hassle of finding the feature each time you need it.

4. Can I assign a shortcut key to the sort button in Excel?

Yes, you can assign a shortcut key to the sort button in Excel. First, add the sort button to your Quick Access Toolbar, then go to the “Customize Ribbon” option in the “Excel Options” dialog box. Select “Customize” next to “Keyboard Shortcuts,” find the “Sort” command, type your preferred shortcut key combination and then press the “Assign” button.

5. How do I sort data by multiple columns?

To sort data by multiple columns in Excel, select the columns you want to sort and click on the “Sort” button. In the “Sort” dialog box, select the columns you want to sort by, and choose the sort order you prefer. Excel will then sort the data based on the selected columns.