Word 2016 Intermediate

Lesson 8 – Sorting Table Data

Word 2016

D ESIGNING A T ABLE TO BE S ORTED  D ISCUSSION

Tables are frequently used to list items that need to be sorted. Use the Sort feature to organize information in a table. The Sort feature can sort by text, dates, and numbers. Sort on up to three columns and specify the sort order.

When creating a table you plan to sort, place each piece of information by which you might want to sort in its own column. If you want to sort a list of people by last name and, then by first name, enter the first and last names in separate columns. Alternatively, you can enter the data in one column in the format last name, first name so that Word sorts it correctly; meaning you cannot sort the list by the first name.

By default, all table columns are sorted at one time, since the data is usually held in rows across all columns. You can, however, sort individual columns without sorting the entire table.

If you create column headings in the first table row, specify the column heading rather than the column number when you sort the table. The row containing the column headings is referred to as the header row; it is not sorted with the rest of the data, remains at the top of the table.

NOTE Use the Sort feature to sort paragraphs, bulleted or numbered lists, and other document text. First select the text you want to sort, then select the Sort button in the Paragraph group on the Home tab to open the Sort Text dialog box. After you finish viewing the sort results or you want to perform a new sort, use the Undo feature to return the table to its original order.

S ORTING A T ABLE A LPHABETICALLY  D ISCUSSION Sort a table by any column containing text, numbers, or dates. Sort the column in ascending order (A to Z) or in descending order (Z to A).

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