Quick Answer

SORT Function

Sorts a range or array (spills the result).

Syntax

SORT

(array, [sort_index], [sort_order], [by_col])

Parameters

Parameter	Description	Required
array	The range or array to sort.	Required
sort_index	The column (or row, when by_col is TRUE) number to sort by. Defaults to 1.	Optional
sort_order	1 for ascending (default) or -1 for descending.	Optional
by_col	FALSE to sort down rows (default) or TRUE to sort across columns.	Optional

Basic Example

Sort a list of numbers ascending

=SORT(A2:A10)

ResultSorted list of the values in A2:A10, smallest to largest

With no extra arguments, SORT orders the first column ascending and spills the result.

Advanced Examples

Example 1: Sort a table by a specific column

Sort a table by the Score column (column 3) from highest to lowest.

Use sort_index and descending order

=SORT(A2:C20, 3, -1)

Result: The rows of A2:C20 reordered by Score, highest first

sort_index 3 picks the third column and -1 sorts it descending.

Example 2: Sort horizontally

Sort values across a single row left to right.

Set by_col to TRUE

=SORT(A2:F2, , , TRUE)

Result: The cells A2:F2 reordered into ascending order

by_col TRUE makes SORT sort across columns instead of down rows.

How SORT Works

SORT produces a dynamic array containing the sorted values of the input. By default it sorts the first column (or row) ascending. sort_index selects which column/row to sort by, sort_order is 1 (ascending) or -1 (descending), and by_col switches between sorting down rows and across columns. The result spills into neighboring empty cells.

1

Select the source

Pick the range or array to sort.

2

Add sort options

Optionally supply sort_index and sort_order.

3

Ensure spill space

Leave empty cells below/right for the results.

Important Notes & Limitations

Available only in Microsoft 365 (and Excel 2021+); not in Excel 2019 and earlier.
Requires empty spill space below/right or it returns #SPILL!.
Sorts by a single key column at a time; use SORTBY for multiple sort keys.

Common Errors & Fixes

#SPILL! errorThere is no room for the spilled results.

Fix: Clear the cells in the spill range.

#VALUE! errorsort_index points beyond the number of columns/rows.

Fix: Make sure sort_index is within the array dimensions.

Download Practice File

Practice SORT with Real Data

Download a sample CSV file with pre-populated data and practice exercises for the SORT function. Works in both Excel and Google Sheets.

Works in Google SheetsCompatible with ExcelIncludes exercises

File format: CSV (comma-separated values) - opens in Excel, Google Sheets, and all spreadsheet apps

Related Functions

FILTER

FILTER pulls out matching rows from a table based on a condition. Unlike VLOOKUP (which returns one value), FILTER can return entire rows and multiple matches — all in one formula.

RANDARRAY

Generates an array of random numbers.

SEQUENCE

Generates a sequence of numbers in an array.

SORTBY

Sorts an array using other arrays as keys.

UNIQUE

Returns unique values (spills the result).

XMATCH

Modern lookup that returns a position (MATCH replacement).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SORT available in Google Sheets?

Yes, SORT is a native function in Google Sheets.

How do I sort descending?

Add -1 as the sort_order argument, e.g. =SORT(A2:A10, 1, -1).

Can I sort by multiple columns?

Use SORTBY for multi-key sorting, or supply multiple columns in Sheets' SORT.