Sorting data horizontally, also known as sorting left to right, is a specific operation often performed in spreadsheet programs like Microsoft Excel. Unlike the more common vertical sort (sorting rows based on column values), a horizontal sort arranges columns based on values within a selected row.
To sort data horizontally in Excel, you need to access the custom sorting options.
Steps to Sort Data Left to Right in Excel
Based on the provided reference, here is the standard method for sorting data horizontally in Microsoft Excel:
- Select the Data: Begin by highlighting all the cells that contain the data you wish to sort. This range should include the row you want to sort by and all the rows below it that should move with the corresponding columns.
- Access Sort & Filter: Navigate to the Home tab in the Excel ribbon. In the Editing group, click on the "Sort & Filter" button.
- Choose Custom Sort: From the dropdown menu that appears, select "Custom Sort...". This will open the "Sort" dialog box.
- Open Options: In the "Sort" dialog box, find and click on the "Options..." button. This opens the "Sort Options" dialog box.
- Select Horizontal Sort: In the "Sort Options" dialog box, under the "Orientation" section, choose "Sort left to right".
- Confirm Orientation: Click "OK" in the "Sort Options" dialog box to apply the left-to-right sorting orientation.
- Specify Sorting Row and Order: Back in the main "Sort" dialog box (which now shows columns instead of rows), specify which Row you want to sort by (e.g., "Row 1", "Row 5", etc.) and the desired Order (e.g., "A to Z", "Z to A", "Smallest to Largest", "Largest to Smallest", or a Custom List).
- Apply the Sort: Click "OK" in the main "Sort" dialog box to perform the horizontal sort.
By following these steps, your columns will be rearranged based on the values in the chosen row, effectively sorting your data horizontally.
