Sort Numbers table data by columns

Numbers tables are inherently row based, and the Sort options are based on that.

Tables are usually designed so that the columns represent data common to each item, and rows represent distinct records that match those columns, with all columns applying to each row.

That's also following the expectation that you have more rows than columns - a Numbers table can scale to 1,000,000 rows, but only 1,000 columns, clearly indicating the expectations of the developers.

I don't know your data, or why you've constructed it that way, but I'll go out on a limb and say you're going to have a hard time and run into other problems if you try to buck this trend. Many other features rely on this structure - charts, filters, and categories come to mind, but there are doubtless others.

I would take a look at your data and see if it makes sense to switch it.

Hi Juan,

I, like camelot, am at a loss to understand your aim.

Try these ideas. Use a copy of your document in case all goes wrong.

One idea that may help is to drag and drop columns into your desired order.

• Click and hold on a column letter (or shift click and hold to select several contiguous columns);
• You will see the selected column(s) "lift" off the table;
• Drag the column(s) to a new position in the table;
• You will see a blue vertical line as a guide;
• Release the mouse/trackpad.

Another idea that may help is to transpose the table (Menu > Table > Transpose Rows and Columns), sort by what are now rows, then transpose back to the original orientation.

Please post an example of your table so that we can see what you see. Use made-up data if your data are private.

Regards,

Ian.