How to Unsort in Excel

Welcome to this blog post where we will cover a frequently asked question about Microsoft Excel. Sorting is a crucial function in Excel, and it allows us to organize large sets of data and highlight specific areas for analysis. However, have you ever needed to undo a sort but were unsure how to do it? This post will provide a concise and straightforward guide on how to unsort in Excel. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned Excel user, this post will be beneficial for you. So, let’s get started!

What is Sorting in Excel?

Sorting is the process of arranging data in a particular order. Sorting in Excel is used to arrange data in ascending or descending order based on a specific column’s values. When it comes to organizing large sets of data, sorting is a crucial function in Excel.

Why would You Want to Unsort in Excel?

After sorting data in Excel, you may discover that you no longer need the data to be in the order you sorted it. Alternatively, you may need to restore your data to its original or default order after previously sorting it. In these cases, unsorting your Excel data is useful.

Steps to Unsort in Excel

Step 1: Select the Data

The first step is to select the data you want to unsort. Click and drag over your data to select the cells you want to unsort.

Step 2: Click on Clear

The next step is to click on the Clear dropdown menu in the Editing group of the Home tab. In the dropdown menu, select Clear Sorting. Alternatively, you can use the Sort and Filter button to clear the sorting.

Step 3: Verify Data Order

After clearing the sort, verify that your data has returned to its original order. If you have data that was previously sorted, you will see that the sort icons are no longer highlighted in your header row.

That’s it! You can now unsort In Excel with ease. Whether you needed to restore your data to its original order or remove previously sorted data, unsorting is a critical function in Excel. We hope these steps have been helpful in guiding you through the process.

Other Methods to Unsort in Excel

Clearing the sorting is the most straightforward method for unsorting your data in Excel. There are a few other ways to unsort your data in Excel as well:

Using the Z to A or A to Z button

You can also use the A to Z or Z to A button in the Sort and Filter dropdown menu to reverse the sorting. Depending on how the data was initially sorted, you might choose the A to Z or Z to A button.

Using the Undo Function

If you sorted your data and have not done any other action after that, you can also use the Undo function by pressing Ctrl + Z. This function will revert your data to its original state before the sorting was performed.

Tips for Sorting in Excel

Sorting is an essential function in Excel, but it’s important to keep in mind that not all data types are equal. Here are some tips to keep in mind when sorting in Excel:

Sorting Numbers

When sorting numeric data, make sure that you format your cells as numbers first. Failure to do so could cause Excel to sort your data incorrectly.

Sorting Dates and Times

When sorting data that contains dates or times, make sure to format your cells correctly. You can format date and time cells by using the dropdown menu under Number format and selecting Date or Time, respectively.

Sorting Text

When sorting text data, Excel will sort the data based on the first character in each cell. However, if you want to sort text data based on a specific column, you can use the Sort Text function in the Data tab, which sorts text data based on the second character and beyond.

Sorting and unsorting data in Excel is an essential function when working with large sets of data. By using the Clear Sorting function or using the A to Z or Z to A button, you can easily unsort your data. Additionally, by following these tips, you can ensure that your data is sorted correctly. We hope these tips and tricks have helped!

FAQs – Unsorting in Excel

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding how to unsort in Excel:

How can I remove the sorting from a single column in Excel?

You can remove the sorting from a single column in Excel by selecting the column header and then clicking on the Sort and Filter button. From there, click on Sort Smallest to Largest or Sort Largest to Smallest to remove the sorting. You can also click on the clear button to remove all sorting.

Can I undo a sort in Excel if I accidentally sorted my data?

Yes, you can undo a sort in Excel if you accidentally sorted your data. Press the Ctrl + Z keys on your keyboard, or click on Undo in the Quick Access Toolbar and select Undo Sort.

Can I sort and unsort multiple columns in Excel?

Yes, you can sort and unsort multiple columns in Excel. To sort multiple columns, select the columns you want to sort and then click on the Sort and Filter button. To unsort the multiple columns, click on the clear button or select only the sorted column headers and then clear their sorting.

Does unsorting data affect other changes I made to my worksheet?

No, unsorting data does not affect any other changes you made in your worksheet. Unsorting data only restores your data to its original order before sorting.

Can I unsort data in Excel online?

Yes, you can unsort data in Excel online. The process of unsorting data is the same as that of Excel desktop version. Simply select the data, go to the Data tab, and click on Clear in the Sort and Filter group.