sort column

Sorting is done with the Reorganize panel.

Here's an example, using the small table shown:

This is the table in its original order.

To sort selected rows, based on the contents of one column:

• Select the rows you want to sort.
  (Note that you can select the entire rows, or a group of cells in those rows.
  The selected cells do not have to be in the column whose content will determine the order.
  Here I've chosen to sort rows 4 through 9, based on the contents of column B.
• Click the Reorganize button in the toolbar.
• In the Sorting section:
  - Change the bottom pop-up from 'entire table' to 'selected rows'
  - Select the column whose contents will control the sort.
  - Select the direction (ascending or descending) for the sort.
• Click Sort Now (if necessary).
  Result shown:
  
• To sort on more than one column, start the same way, then click the + button beside the top level sort to add a second sort. The second sort will be done within the results of the first.
  Here's a two step sort, done after returning the table to its original order.
  

Note that Numbers uses a database model: Each row is considered a unit, and a sort will always re-order the rows, To sort the data in a single column, you'll need to place that data into a single column table, sort that table, then return the data to the original column in the first table.

This can be done using Copy/Paste (Copy the data. Paste it to an empty space on the Sheet, where it will form a new table. Sort the new table. Copy the data. Paste it back to the selected cells in the original table. Select and delete the new table.

Or you can drag the column out of the original table, do the sort, then drag the column back to its home position in the table and drop it back in.

Regards,

Barry

Numbers is not MS Excel.

Repeating from my previous post:

"Note that Numbers uses a database model: Each row is considered a unit, and a sort will always re-order the rows, To sort the data in a single column, you'll need to place that data into a single column table, sort that table, then return the data to the original column in the first table.

"This can be done using Copy/Paste (Copy the data. Paste it to an empty space on the Sheet, where it will form a new table. Sort the new table. Copy the data. Paste it back to the selected cells in the original table. Select and delete the new table.

"Or you can drag the column out of the original table, do the sort, then drag the column back to its home position in the table and drop it back in."

Replace "single column" with "selected block of cells" and use the first technique.

Regards,

Barry

Prashantmahant wrote:

its ok barry, but i want to sort some selected area. for example from cell A5 to cell D10 then want to sort on column C, but its sort entire row. we can do that in excell

Prashantmahant,

Excel needs to have that ability because of its monolithic table structure. In Numbers, we aren't confined to one Table per Sheet. If we have some data that needs to be sorted separately from other data on the same sheet, we put that data in a separate table.

Jerry

Is this still an option in the latest version of Numbers (version 3)? How do you sort a selection in a column or sort multiple columns?

Thanks

Hi Jeff,

Unfortuneately, that has been taken away in version 3. If you dont want to use any sheets you create using IOS (on an iPad or iPhone) my suggestion would be to delete V3 from you mac and keep the old version.

V3 has lost a lot of functionailty to be able to work better on IOS devices.

Spencer

Prashantmahant wrote:

its ok barry, but i want to sort some selected area. for example from cell A5 to cell D10 then want to sort on column C, but its sort entire row. we can do that in excell

Prashantmahant,

In Numbers a Table is a Selected Area. In Excel where cells cover the entire sheet, you have no option other than to define a sort area. In Numbers you designate an area by making it a separate table.

Jerry