Non-Standard Sorting In Excel

Do you need to sort data quickly in an Excel spreadsheet but don’t know how? This article will provide insight on how to efficiently sort data in Excel including non-standard sorting methods. You can save time and simplify the sorting process with these helpful tips.

Non-Standard Sorting in Excel

To sort in Excel in a non-standard way, you need to know the secrets. For sorting by color, custom list and icon, these three sub-sections will make it simpler and more customized. Get your data sorted efficiently!

Sorting by Color

This feature allows sorting data based on color codes assigned to cells. Sorting by Color aids in visually analyzing and grouping values that share a common attribute, such as sales performance.

• Sorting by Color is accessed through the Sort & Filter menu.
• It enables sorting by font color, cell color, or conditional formatting rules.
• The feature can sort data in ascending or descending order.
• You can sort multiple columns based on a specific color code.
• It is useful for segregating and highlighting outliers in datasets.
• This feature also helps organize data according to different status levels.

Unique details about Sorting by Color include highlighting duplicates and non-duplicates for the same color code to help differentiate them even more effectively.

Pro Tip: Use Sorting by Color to highlight top performers in a table of large datasets quickly. Who needs alphabetical order when you can sort by your own arbitrary preferences? Say goodbye to conformity and hello to chaos with custom list sorting in Excel.

Sorting by Custom List

When sorting data in Excel, one may need to sort by a custom list created by them. This approach is called Custom Sorting. Here are 6 points to help you understand how to sort by the Custom List:

1. Select the data that needs sorting.
2. Navigate to the Sort & Filter option under the Home tab.
3. Choose ‘Custom Sort’ from the dropdown menu.
4. In the ‘Sort’ dialog box, under ‘Order’, choose ‘Custom List’.
5. Enter your desired sorting list on the ‘Custom Lists’ dialog box and click OK.
6. Finally, select which column should be sorted as per the custom list and then press OK.

It’s worth noting that this feature can save time while working with specific lists or categorical projects. Try it out today!

Pro Tip: Make sure that your preferred custom list should not contain repeated values for better results.

Sorting by icon in Excel is like playing ‘Where’s Waldo?’ in a spreadsheet. Good luck finding that tiny red arrow amongst all those cells!

Sorting by Icon

Sorting data using Graphical Elements. Using Sorting by Icon, we can visualize the data with colored cell backgrounds to represent values. By default, Excel comes with three icons for sorting: traffic lights, circles, and arrows.

• It helps in sorting the data based on its significance represented by graphical symbols.
• The colored cell background and types of symbols are customizable.
• Excel sorts both rows and columns based on these graphical elements.
• Sorting can be done in ascending or descending order.
• It makes the process simpler for users who handle a large set of data and reduces errors.

Using this technique, sorting is done accurately without any discrepancies because it provides visual representation. In addition to that, in longer sheets where manual sorting consumes time, this tool assists effectively in marking significant cells for quicker identification without looking through all the rows and columns.

Don’t fall behind on optimizing your work efficiency by missing out on this feature. Explore different ways of implementing Sorting by Icon from the updated Excel version to experience quick results in less time while also reducing errors.

FAQs about Non-Standard Sorting In Excel

What is Non-standard Sorting in Excel?

Non-standard sorting in Excel refers to sorting data using criteria that are not the default options available on the sort dialog box. This includes sorting data based on custom lists, case-sensitive sorting, and sorting data with special characters.

How do I sort data in Excel using a custom list?

To sort data in Excel using a custom list, first, create the list that you want to use as the sorting criteria. Then, select the data range that you want to sort and click on the “Sort” button under the “Data” tab. In the “Sort” dialog box, select the column that you want to sort and choose “Custom List” under the “Order” dropdown menu. Select the custom list that you created and click “OK” to sort the data.

How do I perform a case-sensitive sort in Excel?

To perform a case-sensitive sort in Excel, select the data range that you want to sort and click on the “Sort” button under the “Data” tab. In the “Sort” dialog box, select the column that you want to sort and choose “A to Z” or “Z to A” under the “Order” dropdown menu. Then, check the “Case sensitive” checkbox and click “OK” to sort the data.

Can I sort data in Excel based on special characters?

Yes, you can sort data in Excel based on special characters. To do this, select the data range that you want to sort and click on the “Sort” button under the “Data” tab. In the “Sort” dialog box, select the column that you want to sort and choose “A to Z” or “Z to A” under the “Order” dropdown menu. Then, select the “Options” button and choose “Sort left to right” or “Sort top to bottom” under the “Orientation” dropdown menu. Click “OK” to apply the special character sorting.

How do I sort data in Excel based on multiple criteria?

To sort data in Excel based on multiple criteria, select the data range that you want to sort and click on the “Sort” button under the “Data” tab. In the “Sort” dialog box, select the column that you want to sort and choose the desired sorting order under the “Order” dropdown menu. Then, click on the “Add Level” button to add additional sorting criteria. Repeat this process for each additional sorting criteria that you want to apply.

Can I undo a non-standard sort in Excel?

Yes, you can undo a non-standard sort in Excel by clicking on the “Undo” button or by pressing “Ctrl + Z” on your keyboard. This will revert the data back to its original order before the sorting was applied.