In Microsoft Excel, there are a lot of ways to arrange text data alphabetically, dates chronologically, and numbers from smallest to largest or from highest to lowest. In addition, there are some ways to customize the sorting process. With that Excel 365 offers a brand-new way to Sort data with formulas which is very comfortable and astonishingly simple to use. In this article, I will show different ways to Sort Multiple Columns in Excel independently of each other.

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7 Ways to Sort Multiple Columns in Excel Independently of Each Other

1. Sort Multiple Columns in Excel Independently of Each Other Using Dialog Box

Let’s assume we have a dataset of some foods with their Name, Quantity, Delivery Date, Status, and Price. Now our task is to sort them independently using the dialog box.

Step 1: Select the entire data set that you want to sort

Step 2: Select Sort under the Data tab

Step 3: Now a Sort window will pop up. Select the column name and select the other options as per your need

Step 4: Now Click on Add Level option and do the same thing for the other columns

Step 5: Lastly, click on the OK button

Step 6: Now all the data will be sorted individually

2. Sort Multiple Columns in Excel Independently of Each Other Using Sort Icons

Here we will do the same thing using the Sort icon in Excel. Let’s see the steps:

Step 1: Select the whole data like the previous example

Step 2: Now click on the Sort icon under the Data tab. You can choose A to Z (Ascending order) or Z to A (Descending order as per your need)

Step 3: All the data will be sorted

3. Sort Multiple Columns in Excel Independently of Each Other Using SORTBY Function

Excel provides a function for sorting named SORTBY. Let’s see the basics of the function first

Arguments

Now we will sort all the columns of the previously used dataset using the SORTBY function.

Step 1: Enter the in B21 and press Enter

4. Sort Multiple Columns in Excel Independently of Each Other Using SORTBY and MATCH Function

In this method, we will sort all the data according to their Status. For this, we will need SORTBY and MATCH functions.

Step 1: Enter the formula in cell B21 and press Enter

5. Sort Multiple Columns in Excel Independently of Each Other Using SORTBY and RANDARRAY Functions

Excel provides the facility to sort data randomly. In this method, we will see that. For this, we will need SORTBY and RANDARRAY functions. Again, we will consider the same dataset.

Step 1: Enter the formula in cell B21 and press Enter

For column B

For Column C

For Column D

For Column E

For Column F

6. Sort Multiple Columns in Excel Independently of Each Other by String Length

We can easily sort data by their string length using SORTBY and LEN functions. Now we will sort each column of the previous data by their string length.

Step 1: Enter the formula in cell B21 and press Enter

For Column B:

For Column C

For Column D

For Column E

For Column F

7. Sort Multiple Columns in Excel Independently of Each Other At Once Using VBA Code

Using VBA code, we can easily sort all the data in multiple columns at once. Let’s see how to do that.

Step 1: Select Marcos under the Developer tab

Step 2: Give the name of the Macro program and click on Create option. Make sure Macro in is selected as This Workbook

Step 3: Now write the code in the VBA window and Run it (Shortcut F5)

Code:

Sub Sort_multiple_columns()
    Dim xRg As Range 'Declare range for Columns
    Dim yRg As Range 'Declare range for Rows
    Dim ws As Worksheet 'Name the WorkSheet
    Set ws = ActiveSheet
    On Error Resume Next
    Set xRg = Application.InputBox(Prompt:="Range Selection:", _
                                    Title:="Sort Multiple Columns", Type:=8)
    Application.ScreenUpdating = False
    For Each yRg In xRg
        With ws.Sort
            .SortFields.Clear
            .SortFields.Add Key:=yRg, Order:=xlAscending
            .SetRange ws.Range(yRg, yRg.End(xlDown))
            .Header = xlNo
            .MatchCase = False
            .Apply
        End With
    Next yRg
    Application.ScreenUpdating = True
End Sub

Step 4: Now a pop-up window will come. Select the data that you want to sort. All the selected data ranges will be shown on the pop-up window. Click on the OK button after selection

Step 5: Now all the data will be sorted automatically

Things to Remember

Conclusion

These are the ways to sort multiple columns in excel independently of each other. I have shown all the methods with their respective examples but there can be many other iterations. I have also discussed the fundamentals of the used functions. If you have any other method of achieving this, then please feel free to share it with us.

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