How to Sort by Name in Excel (3 Examples)

Example 1 – Use Sort & Filter Group to Sort Columns by Name

To sort names alphabetically.

1.1 Sort a Column by Name

Step 1:

Select the first cell which contains a person’s name.

Use Sort & Filter Group to Sort by Name

Step 2:

From the Ribbon, choose the Data tab.
Click on the A → Z icon from the Sort & Filter group.

Use Sort & Filter Group to Sort by Name

You will get the column with a sorted value as shown in the image.

Use Sort & Filter Group to Sort by Name

1.2 Sort Multiple Columns by Name

Step 1:

Click on the Data tab from the Ribbon.
From the Sort & Filter group, select Sort.

Use Sort & Filter Group to Sort by Name

Step 2:

From the table, choose any of your preferred columns to sort by. We have chosen City to sort it.

Use Sort & Filter Group to Sort by Name

You will get the sorted value according to the second column.

Use Sort & Filter Group to Sort by Name

Step 3:

To sort by another column, click on the Add Level.
From the They by list, choose the column listed as Names.

Use Sort & Filter Group to Sort by Name

Step 4:

Press OK.

Use Sort & Filter Group to Sort by Name

Read More: How to Sort by Last Name in Excel

Example 2 – Use Sort & Filter Group to Sort Rows by Name

You may sort a row by names in addition to sorting by columns. We have reorganized the Names and City values in a row.

Use Sort & Filter Group

Step 1:

After opening the Sort option from the Sort & Filter group, click on the Options tab.
Select Sort left to right.
Press OK.

Use Sort & Filter Group

Step 2:

From the Sort by menu, choose Row 4.

Use Sort & Filter Group

Step 3:

Press Enter to see the results.

Use Sort & Filter Group

Notes. You can sort the data according to any of your existing rows.

Read More: How to Sort Numbers in Excel

Example 3 – Apply Formula to Sort by Name

Apply Formula

3.1 Apply Formula to Sort Each Row by Name

Steps:

In the desired cell, enter the following formula for the first row in range C4:G4.

=INDEX($C4:$G4, MATCH(COLUMNS($C4:C4), COUNTIF($C4:$G4, “<=”&$C4:$G4), 0))

The COUNTIF function will return by counting serially the match between C4:G4.
The MATCH function provides the match between columns.
The INDEX function will give us the matched result serially.
To make it work as an array, press Ctrl + Shift + Enter
Use the AutoFill tool to fill up the required cells.

Apply Formula

The rows will be sorted individually as shown in the image below.

3.2 Apply Formula to Sort Each Column by Name

Apply Formula

Steps:

In F5, enter the following formula for the range B5:B9.

=INDEX($C4:$G4, MATCH(COLUMNS($C4:C4), COUNTIF($C4:$G4, “<=”&$C4:$G4), 0))

To make it work as an array, press Ctrl + Shift + Enter
Use AutoFill for the remaining cells.

Apply Formula

The data in each column will be sorted alphabetically by names.

Apply Formula

3.3 Apply Formula to Sort by Last Name

Step 1:

To separate the First Names from the Names, enter the following formula.

=LEFT(B5,SEARCH(” “,B5)-1)

The SEARCH function finds the space in B5.
The LEFT function returns the remaining value after space found from the SEARCH.

Apply Formula to Sort by Last Name

Step 2:

To separate the Last Name, enter the following formula.

=RIGHT(B5,LEN(B5)-SEARCH(” “,B5,1))

Apply Formula to Sort by Last Name

Step 3:

To add the Last Name first and the First Name last, enter the following formula.

=D5&”, “&C5

Apply Formula to Sort by Last Name

Step 4:

In the desired cell, copy the cells and paste them as Value & Number Formatting.

Apply Formula to Sort by Last Name

Step 5:

From the Data tab, click on the icon shown in the image below.

Apply Formula to Sort by Last Name

The data will be sorted by their last names.

Apply Formula to Sort by Last Name

Step 6:

Enter the following formula to keep only the First Name.

=RIGHT(B12, LEN(B12) – SEARCH(” “, B12))

In cell C12, the RIGHT function provides the value from the B12 cell with the number of characters left from applying the SEARCH function after space.

Apply Formula to Sort by Last Name