SORT function

What you will build

Create an ordered view by amount without changing source row order. This lesson uses fictional sample data so you can reproduce each action.

Learning objective

Complete the steps using the dataset below, explain why the feature or formula is used, and recognize issues when inputs change.

Prepare the sample data

Paste this example as tab-separated values beginning at A1 on a new worksheet:

HANDS-ON PRACTICE

Practice in your own copy

Make your own Google Sheets copy with the same data, formulas, formatting, filter and frozen header. The original remains unchanged.

Make a Google Sheets copy (access required) ↗View original

Sign in to Google. If the original is not publicly shared, download the full workbook and import it into Google Sheets, or paste the example data into your own sheet.

Complete Google Sheets source table before formula verification.

Open the sample workbook in Google Drive (access required) ↗

Work through the example

Step 1: Use H2 as the starting cell for the dynamic result and keep H2:M6 empty.

Step 2: Enter SORT in H2 to order A2:F6 by its fifth column (Amount) descending. The source table on the left keeps its original order.

Formula to try

=SORT(A2:F6,5,FALSE)

The result cell is selected with the formula visible in the formula bar and the complete source table available for comparison.

How this formula works=SORT(A2:F6,5,FALSE)

Overall meaning of the whole formula
- Sort the entire A2:F6 range by its fifth column in descending order.
SORT(range, sort_column, is_ascending, [sort_column2, is_ascending2, ...])
- `range` is required; it accepts the range whose rows or columns are returned in sorted order. In this lesson the argument passed is `A2:F6`.
- `sort_column` is required; it accepts a column index inside range or a same-height sort range. In this lesson the argument passed is `5`.
- `is_ascending` is required; it accepts TRUE for ascending order or FALSE for descending order. In this lesson the argument passed is `FALSE`.
Whole-expression evaluation
- A2:F6 is the range to sort.
- 5 means the fifth column within A:F, which is Amount.
- FALSE requests descending order, so 320 comes before 240, 160, 120, and 80.
- The result can occupy multiple cells; the spill area must be clear, and any companion condition ranges must have dimensions compatible with the data being processed.
Why the displayed final result appears
- FALSE requests descending order, so 320 comes before 240, 160, 120, and 80.
- The final output must be read against the lesson’s visible sample data; this explanation does not change the formula, references, or criteria used in the lesson.

Checkpoint

Date	Region	Agent	Units	Amount	Status
2026-09-04	South	An	4	320	Paid
2026-09-02	South	Binh	3	240	Open
2026-09-05	North	Binh	2	160	Open
2026-09-01	North	An	2	120	Paid
2026-09-03	North	Chi	1	80	Paid

The H2:M6 spill was verified live; the source A2:F6 stays in its original order.

Common mistake and correction

If the result is unexpected, inspect the source cells, destination and referenced range in the formula. SORT returns a new range; the fifth column is relative to the given input, not necessarily the worksheet letter E in every range.

Independent practice

After following the example, complete this variation without editing the source data: Sort by Units ascending and explain the index you would use.

Key takeaways

✓Create an ordered view by amount without changing source row order.
✓Use H2 as the blank output start cell and keep H2:M6 clear for the SORT spill.
✓SORT returns a new range; the fifth column is relative to the given input, not necessarily the worksheet letter E in every range.
✓Sort by Units ascending and explain the index you would use.

Continue learning

Previous lesson: FILTER function; Next lesson: UNIQUE function.

What you will build

Create an ordered view by amount without changing source row order. This lesson uses fictional sample data so you can reproduce each action.

Learning objective

Complete the steps using the dataset below, explain why the feature or formula is used, and recognize issues when inputs change.

Prepare the sample data

Paste this example as tab-separated values beginning at A1 on a new worksheet:

HANDS-ON PRACTICE

Practice in your own copy

Make your own Google Sheets copy with the same data, formulas, formatting, filter and frozen header. The original remains unchanged.

Make a Google Sheets copy (access required) ↗View original

Sign in to Google. If the original is not publicly shared, download the full workbook and import it into Google Sheets, or paste the example data into your own sheet.

Open the sample workbook in Google Drive (access required) ↗

Work through the example

Step 1: Use H2 as the starting cell for the dynamic result and keep H2:M6 empty.

Step 2: Enter SORT in H2 to order A2:F6 by its fifth column (Amount) descending. The source table on the left keeps its original order.

Formula to try

=SORT(A2:F6,5,FALSE)

How this formula works=SORT(A2:F6,5,FALSE)

Overall meaning of the whole formula
- Sort the entire A2:F6 range by its fifth column in descending order.
SORT(range, sort_column, is_ascending, [sort_column2, is_ascending2, ...])
- `range` is required; it accepts the range whose rows or columns are returned in sorted order. In this lesson the argument passed is `A2:F6`.
- `sort_column` is required; it accepts a column index inside range or a same-height sort range. In this lesson the argument passed is `5`.
- `is_ascending` is required; it accepts TRUE for ascending order or FALSE for descending order. In this lesson the argument passed is `FALSE`.
Whole-expression evaluation
- A2:F6 is the range to sort.
- 5 means the fifth column within A:F, which is Amount.
- FALSE requests descending order, so 320 comes before 240, 160, 120, and 80.
- The result can occupy multiple cells; the spill area must be clear, and any companion condition ranges must have dimensions compatible with the data being processed.
Why the displayed final result appears
- FALSE requests descending order, so 320 comes before 240, 160, 120, and 80.
- The final output must be read against the lesson’s visible sample data; this explanation does not change the formula, references, or criteria used in the lesson.

Checkpoint

Date	Region	Agent	Units	Amount	Status
2026-09-04	South	An	4	320	Paid
2026-09-02	South	Binh	3	240	Open
2026-09-05	North	Binh	2	160	Open
2026-09-01	North	An	2	120	Paid
2026-09-03	North	Chi	1	80	Paid

The H2:M6 spill was verified live; the source A2:F6 stays in its original order.

Common mistake and correction

Independent practice

After following the example, complete this variation without editing the source data: Sort by Units ascending and explain the index you would use.

Key takeaways

✓Create an ordered view by amount without changing source row order.
✓Use H2 as the blank output start cell and keep H2:M6 clear for the SORT spill.
✓SORT returns a new range; the fifth column is relative to the given input, not necessarily the worksheet letter E in every range.
✓Sort by Units ascending and explain the index you would use.

Continue learning

Previous lesson: FILTER function; Next lesson: UNIQUE function.

SORT function

What you will build

Learning objective

Prepare the sample data

Practice in your own copy

Work through the example

Formula to try

Checkpoint

Common mistake and correction

Independent practice

Key takeaways

Check your understanding

Continue learning

What should you learn next?

Comments

SORT function

What you will build

Learning objective

Prepare the sample data

Practice in your own copy

Work through the example

Formula to try

Checkpoint

Common mistake and correction

Independent practice

Key takeaways

Check your understanding

Continue learning

What should you learn next?

Comments