How to Sort Data in Excel Using a Shortcut (7 Methods)

Method 1 – Excel Shortcut for Single Column Sorting

In this method, we’ll demonstrate how to sort a single column using Excel shortcuts. Let’s assume we have a dataset with four columns: Employee, Working Hour, Region, and Salary.

Steps

• Select a cell in the column you want to sort (e.g., Cell C5).

• Press Alt + A S D to sort in descending order.

• To sort in ascending order, press Alt + A S A.

Read More: How to Sort Data by Value in Excel

Method 2 – Sort Multiple Columns Using Excel Shortcut

Now, let’s work with multiple columns.  We will try to sort the Working Hour & Region columns.

Steps

• Select a cell in your dataset (e.g., Cell C5).

• Press Alt + ASS to open the dialogue box. Ensure My data has headers is selected.

• Change the “Sort by menu to your desired column (e.g., Working Hour).

• Add a level to insert the second column (e.g., Region).
• Choose sorting criteria and order options.

• Select OK to automatically sort the data.

You can see the Working Hour column is sorted in ascending order and then the Region column is sorted in A-to-Z order.

Read More: How to Add Sort Button in Excel

Method 3 – Use of Macro to Sort Data in Excel

Steps

• Go to the Developer tab and select Visual Basic.

• Insert a new module in the Visual Basic Window.
• Enter the following code and save it:

Sub MultiColumn()
  With ActiveSheet.Sort
    .SortFields.Clear
    .SortFields.Add Key:=Range("C4"), Order:=xlAscending
    .SortFields.Add Key:=Range("D4"), Order:=xlAscending
    .SetRange Range("B4:E10")
    .Header = xlYes
    .Apply
  End With
End Sub

• Open the Macros window from the Developer tab.

• Go to the Options tab and create a shortcut key (e.g., a).

• Press Ctrl + A to sort the data in ascending order.

The Working Hour column is sorted in ascending order and the Region column is sorted in A-to-Z order.

Read More: How to Sort Data in Excel Using Formula

Method 4 – Keyboard Accelerators Shortcut for Sorting in Excel

Keyboard accelerators are also useful for sorting datasets:

Steps

• Select a cell in the column you want to sort (e.g., Cell C5).

• Press the Alt key (letters will appear on your screen).

• Press SA for ascending order.

• Press the SD key for descending order.

• For custom sorting, press SS to open the Sort window.

• Add levels and select columns (similar to Method 2).

• Press OK to sort multiple columns together.

Read More: How to Sort Data in Alphabetical Order in Excel

Method 5 – Sort in Excel Using the Home Tab

In this method, we’ll use the Home Tab as a shortcut to sort data.

Steps

• Select a cell in the column where you want to sort (e.g., Cell C5).

• Press Alt + H; some letters will appear on your screen.
• Look at the top right corner; you’ll find additional letters.

• Press the S key on your keyboard to open a drop-down menu.

• Choose S to sort your data in ascending order.

• For descending order, press O, and for custom sorting, press U.

Read More: How to Undo Sort in Excel

Method 6 – Use of Menu Key Shortcut for Sorting

Another way to sort data is by using the Menu Key. Let’s sort the Working Hour column from our previous dataset.

Steps

• Select Cell C5.

• Press Menu key + OS to sort the column in ascending order.

• Press Menu key + OO for descending order.

• For custom sorting, press Menu key + OU; a window similar to Method 2 will open, allowing you to select multiple columns.

Read More: How to Sort Alphanumeric Data in Excel

Method 7 – Use of Filter Drop Down Menu Shortcut for Sorting

To easily sort using the Filter option, follow these steps:

• Select any cell in your dataset (Cell C5).

• Press Ctrl + Shift + L to apply the filter.

• Click the header of the column you want to sort.

• Press Alt + Drop Down arrow + S for ascending order.

• Press Alt + Drop Down arrow + O for descending order.

• To sort by colors, press Alt + Drop Down arrow + T.

Read More: How to Sort in Ascending Order in Excel

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