Putting Names in Alphabetical Order in Microsoft Excel
By Nick Peers
If you have a list of names in your Excel spreadsheet, you can put the names in alphabetical order by using the Sort feature. You can sort the list in ascending or descending order. To maintain the integrity of your data, you must sort all columns in the spreadsheet at the same time when you sort the list of names. You can also sort only the list without changing the order of the values in the other columns.
Step 1
Open the spreadsheet you want to edit in Excel. To open a spreadsheet, press "Ctrl-O."
Step 2
Select the entire spreadsheet if you want to maintain the integrity of the data. When you sort the list of names, all other columns will be sorted automatically.
Step 3
Click the "Data" tab and then click the "Sort" button in the "Sort & Filter" group to open the Sort window.
Step 4
Check the "My data has headers" if your spreadsheet has headers. Headers will not be sorted.
Step 5
Select the column that contains the names from the "Sort By" drop-down box in the Column field.
Step 6
Select the order from the "Order" drop-down box. The "A to Z" option puts the names in ascending order, while the "Z to A" option puts them in descending order.
Step 7
Click "OK" to sort the names and put them in alphabetical order. Verify the data and then press "Ctrl-S" to save the changes.
References
Tips
- To sort a single column and leave the rest of the spreadsheet intact, select the column that contains the names by clicking its header and then click the "Sort A to Z" or "Sort Z to A" button in the "Sort & Filter" group. Click "Continue with the current selection" and then "Sort."
Warnings
- Information in this article applies to Microsoft Office Excel 2013. It may vary slightly or significantly with other versions or products.
Writer Bio
Nick Peers has been writing technology-related articles since 2003. His articles have appeared in dozens of technical publications, including MSN UK, CNET, BBC Who Do You Think You Are, LifeHacker UK and TechRadar. He holds a Masters in information technology degree from the University of East London.