How to sort excel column alphabetically

To sort an Excel column alphabetically, follow these steps:

1. Select the Column
   Click on the letter at the top of the column you want to sort. This highlights the entire column.

2. Open the Sort Options
   Go to the Data tab on the ribbon.

3. Choose Sort Order

   • Click Sort A to Z to arrange data in ascending alphabetical order.

   • Click Sort Z to A to arrange data in descending alphabetical order.

4. Include Adjacent Data
   If your column is part of a table with multiple columns, a prompt will appear asking: “Expand the selection?”

   • Select Expand the selection to keep all related rows intact.

   • Select Continue with the current selection to sort only the chosen column.

5. Verify the Results
   Check that the column is arranged correctly from A–Z or Z–A.

Sorting Alphabetically With a Table

1. Convert your data into a table by pressing Ctrl + T.

2. Click the dropdown arrow on the column header.

3. Select Sort A to Z or Sort Z to A.

Sorting Differences: Windows vs Mac

• On Windows, the Data tab has direct buttons for Sort A to Z and Sort Z to A.

• On Mac, go to Data → Sort Ascending or Sort Descending. The dropdown menu works the same as Windows tables.

Tips

• Remove blank rows before sorting to prevent misalignment.

• If numbers or dates exist in the column, Excel will sort them numerically or chronologically.

• Use Custom Sort under the Data tab for multiple columns or advanced sorting rules.

This method ensures your column is properly sorted alphabetically while keeping all related data intact.