Share this article
Improve this guide
Excel Sort Is Not Working: How to Properly Fix It
Ensure that the cell values in your dataset are in the same format
4 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
Share this article
Improve this guide
Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more
Key notes
Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool that helps you manage and sort a huge dataset into meaningful information. However, several Microsoft Excel users have reported that for them the Excel sort is not working, and they are facing issues creating their spreadsheets.
If you are also one such user facing the Excel sort not working problem, then you are in the right place. Because this guide will give you a bunch of solutions to resolve the problem at your end. Let us get right into it.
Why is Excel sort not working properly?
After some research, we have created a list of reasons why the Excel sort is not working properly for you on your Windows PC:
How can I fix the Excel sort not working problem?
Here are a few things that we would advise you to do before applying the advanced troubleshooting solutions:
Let us check out the advanced solutions to resolve the problem.
1. Delete any blank cell
When you press OK, you will see the blank cells will be placed at the bottom of the dataset after applying the sort tool, which isn’t the correct way. Here are two things that you can do to fix the Excel sort not working problem:
2. Remove leading/trailing space before cell values
Once you apply the sort, you will see that the cells with leading spaces in their values are placed at the top ahead of the other cells.
To get rid of this problem, you need toremove the leading spacesfrom the highlighted cells and then apply the sort function.
3. Remove mixed data type
Often when you copy and paste data from another sheet or from the internet, it does not get pasted in a proper format. So, there could be some cells in your dataset containing text values in place of numbers.
In such a case, you can follow the above steps and ensure that the sorting function applies correctly to your spreadsheet.
4. Select a valid date format
These are a few ways you can make the sort function work properly for your dataset. Well, this isn’t the only problem MS Excel users come across.
We have a guide for users that are facingExcel won’t scroll downerrors. You can also check out our guide on theExcel toolbar missingto fix the issue.
You can also check out our guide that gives you detailed steps toopen two Excel side by sideto improve efficiency. Also, did you know that you canopen multiple Excel files at once, if not, then check out our guide.
Some users have reported that theyaren’t able to open Excel on their Windows 11PCs. Fortunately, we have a guide that lists some solutions to resolve this issue.
More about the topics:Excel,Microsoft Excel
Sagar Naresh
Sagar is a web developer and technology journalist. Currently associated with WindowsReport and SamMobile. When not writing, he is either at the gym sweating it out or playing country music on his guitar.
He is an avid traveler and has been to 15 countries, going to more places soon. TRAVEL and WORK is his mantra for a peaceful life.
User forum
0 messages
Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes
Comment*
Name*
Email*
Commenting as.Not you?
Save information for future comments
Comment
Δ
Sagar Naresh
