How to Sort Data Horizontally in Excel

When you have your data arranged in a horizontal table instead of a vertical table, you may need to sort your data horizontally instead of vertically like you used to. In this article, you will learn how to sort data horizontally in excel.

We all know how to sort data vertically. It is simple and easy. All you need to do is to select your data and press sort button on HOME ribbon or DATA ribbon. Actually, it is almost equally easy to sort data horizontally in excel. All you need to do is to change a setting in Custom Sort window.

Here is how to do it:

This is our sample data to be sorted.

We’d like to sort this table from largest to smallest value based on calories. In order to do it, we need to select the data first. Then open Custom Sort dialogue box. This can be done from either HOME ribbon or DATA ribbon.

When sort window is opened, click on the options button and select “Sort left to right” option.

Notice how sorting method is changed on the upper left side of the window:

From here on, it is very similar with sorting data vertically. Select by which row you want your data to be sorted. For our example, we will sort our table based on calories. Which is Row 2.

Then select in which order you want to sort your data. We will sort from largest to smallest.

Click OK and see your data sorted as you set up.

Note: If you select left to right option from sorting options but close the window without sorting, it will revert back to original vertical sorting when you reopen the window. When you sort your data horizontally once, options will stay as you set them when you reopen sort window.