How To: Sort data in single columns & whole tables in Excel

To sort data in Excel spreadsheets, have each category (for example, first and last names) in a single column. Click on any cell in the column you wish to sort. Be careful not to highlight the entire column, or results will be sorted only in that column. Click on DATA on the ribbon at the top. To sort in descending order, click on the z-a button. For more detail, click on the main SORT button, and you can specify which columns you want sorted and how. For instance, you can sort by descending numerical order on your main data column and by ascending alphabetical order on a second column. Set up your main column using the drop-down boxes, then click on add a level to set up the second column again using the drop-down boxes as you need. A third column can also be set up if needed.