How to Sort Two Columns

Columns in a spreadsheet or word processing document allow a person to organize and sort data. In order for the data to be useful, enter the data in columns by category. If organizing financial data, put the date of a transaction in one column, the amount of the transaction in a second column and the name of the payer or payee in a third column. Depending on the order you need to view the information, sort the columns to see all transactions made on a certain date, of a certain amount or by a specific party.

• 1

  Determine the hierarchy of the data desired for sorting. Sorting functions in an ascending or descending order by column, either alphabetically or numerically.

• 2

  Sort all data in both columns by holding down the left mouse button and selecting both column labels at the top of the data spreadsheet; this function highlights both columns.

• 3

  Perform a simple sort by selecting hit the "A to Z" button in the toolbar. This alphabetizes or sorts the data numerically in ascending order. Hit the "A to Z" button again to reverse the order of the data sort. Alternatively, select the "Z to A" button for a descending sort if the button appears on the toolbar.

• 4

  Click on "Data" from the toolbar menu to sort using both columns.

• 5

  Highlight and click "Sort" from the next menu. Choose the column you want to use as the primary data sort in the drop-down box for each column. Select the other column as the secondary data sort.

• 6

  Check the box next to ascending or descending to set the order in which the data sorts. Select "No Header Row" if the data has no column label or select "Header Row" if the data has a column label or title. Press "Options" for further sorting criteria. Click "OK" to complete the data sort.