How to Sort Data by Multiple Columns

There are several methods to sort multiple columns, please see the following 3 common methods.

1. Custom Sort

Step 1: Click any cell in the data range;

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;

Step 5: In the "Sort" window,

1. Select the first sort column in the first box (Column A in this example);

2. Select "Cell Values" in the second box;

3. Select "A to Z" in the third box;

4. Click the "Add Level" button on the top.

Step 6: In the second row from the "Sort" window,

1. Select the second sort column in the first box (Column B in this example);

2. Select "Cell Values" in the second box;

3. Select "A to Z" in the third box.

Step 7: Click the "OK" button and the data will be in the proper order.

2. CONCAT (CONCATENATE) Function

Another method is to sort multiple columns with the CONCATENATE Function (or CONCAT Function) to create a helper column.

Step 1: Move your mouse to the last column and create a helper column;

Step 2: In Cell C2, type the formula =CONCAT(A2,B2) and press Enter;

Step 3: Copy the formula down to the bottom of the data range;

Step 4: Sort the data range by the new column C "A to Z" or "Z to A".

3. The Ampersand (&) Operator

You can also sort multiple columns using the Ampersand (&), which is similar to the CONCAT Function.

Step 1: Move your mouse to the last column and create a helper column;

Step 2: In Cell C2, type the formula =A2&B2 and press Enter;

Step 3: Copy the formula down to the bottom of the data range;

Step 4: Sort the data range by the new column C "A to Z" or "Z to A".

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