How to Sort in Google Sheets
Sort data in Google Sheets by date, status, owner, amount, or multiple columns without breaking the structure of your working spreadsheet.
Sorting in Google Sheets changes the order of rows so the most useful records are easier to review. Use it for dates, amounts, owners, priorities, statuses, campaigns, vendors, and any field that helps a team scan the sheet faster.
The main rule is simple: sort the whole table, not just one column. Sorting one column by itself can separate values from the rows they belong to.
Sort with the toolbar
Step 1. Select the full table, including every column that belongs to the same records.
Step 2. Choose Data -> Sort range.
Step 3. Check "Data has header row" if the first row contains labels.
Step 4. Pick the column and choose A to Z, Z to A, oldest to newest, newest to oldest, or another order that matches the column type.
For a project tracker, sorting by due date can put the next deadlines at the top. For an expense tracker, sorting by amount can surface the largest transactions for review.
Sort by multiple columns
Multi-column sorting is useful when one field alone is not enough. For example, a content team may want to sort by status first, then publish date.
Use Data -> Sort range -> Advanced range sorting options, then add more sort columns.
A practical review order for a content calendar might be:
| Sort level | Column | Order |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Status | A to Z |
| 2 | Publish date | Oldest to newest |
| 3 | Owner | A to Z |
This keeps the work grouped by status while preserving the timeline inside each group.
Use the SORT function for a live view
The toolbar sort changes the source table. The SORT function creates a separate sorted view that updates when source data changes.
=SORT(A2:G100, 5, TRUE)That sorts A2:G100 by the fifth column in ascending order.
To sort newest dates first, use FALSE:
=SORT(A2:G100, 3, FALSE)Use the function when the source table should stay in entry order but a review tab needs a sorted view.
WATCH OUT
Common sorting mistakes
| Mistake | What happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Sorting only one column | Row values no longer match | Select the full table before sorting |
| Including totals in the sort | Summary rows move into the data | Keep totals outside the source table |
| Mixing dates stored as text | Date order looks wrong | Convert the column to real dates |
| Sorting a shared sheet unexpectedly | Other users lose their working order | Use a filter view or SORT output |
The Griddy way
Sorting is simple until a shared sheet has merged headers, manual totals, hidden rows, or several review views.
"Create a sorted review view of this project tracker by status, due date, and owner without changing the source table"
Griddy can keep the source rows intact, build the sorted output, and clean date or status values that would otherwise sort incorrectly.
Skip the manual work
Describe it. Griddy does it.
Instead of writing this formula yourself, just tell Griddy what you need in plain English. Works in Excel and Google Sheets.
Use this on real templates
Make active spreadsheet rows easier to review
Sorting and sorted views help operating templates surface the deadlines, owners, amounts, and statuses that need attention first.
Project Tracker
Track tasks, owners, priorities, due dates, and blockers in one delivery board. Group work by stream, review progress, and keep next steps visible.
Open templateMarketingContent Calendar
Plan topics, channels, owners, publish dates, and content status in one editorial board. Track weekly campaigns and keep your publishing mix visible.
Open templateFinanceExpense Tracker
Log every expense, track receipts, and generate category summaries. Free template for personal or business use.
Open templateSalesCRM Lead Tracker
Track contacts, lead source, owner, next due date, and follow-up status in one lightweight CRM sheet. Keep hot opportunities and stale leads visible without paying for heavy sales software.
Open template