How to sort and filter your list 

Last week we saw how to set up a list in Excel and I hope that you have set up your first list successfully.  Now that you have some data in the list, you may find that you need to do a few different things. Specifically you may wish to Sort and Filter a list in Excel 2010 ( this tip works in later versions too!)

1. Sort the list
2. Filter the list to show only certain things

So today we will see how to Sort and Filter your list.

Here is my list of contacts at the moment.  Notice that they are in date order which is the order that I met them or spoke to them.  I would like to put them in Alphabetical Order by Surname.

Sort Data

(1) Click into the column you wish to sort by (2) Click the Data Ribbon  (3) Click the AZ sort icon

Notice that the data has been sorted by Surname in alphabetical order. You can sort any column this way.  Go on give it a go!!

Filter the data

This time I want to show only the contacts from London.  So I will filter this time.

On the Data Ribbon click the big Filter Button(1).  This will switch on the filters for each column. (2)

Now you can use the filters to pull out the data you wish to see.  I want to see all those contacts in London so I will click the dropdown next to City and select only London and Click OK.

Job Done!

My list has now been filtered!! Hurrah!

Go ahead and test these tips out and let me know how you get on.

Till next time.