How to Sort a Data Range based on the Cell Background Color

When working with a dataset that contains multiple cell colors, you can sort these cells either to the top or to the bottom. This will make your work much easier. For example, if someone already identifies the duplicates in a dataset and mark these cells in red, you can sort them and then decide how to deal with the duplicates. Please see below for steps:

Step 1: Select the data range that you want to sort;

Step 2: Click the "Home" tab from the Ribbon;

Step 3: Click the "Sort & Filter" command in the "Editing" section;

Step 4: Click "Custom Sort" from the drop-down list;

Alternatively, you can also right-click and select "Sort" from the list, then select "Custom Sort".

Step 3: In the "Sort" window:

1. Select "Column A" (or any column with the sorting font color) in the Column Sort by box;

2. Select "Cell Color" in the Sort On box;

3. Select a color (e.g., pink) in the Order box;

4. Select "On Top" or "On Bottom" in the last box.

You can add more levels if you have more than one Font Color.

Step 4: Click "OK" at the bottom and the font in red are now on top.

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