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How to sort numbers by first digit in Excel?

Author Xiaoyang Last modified
sample data arrow right sort numbers by first digit

Normally, in Excel, the Sort function may help you to sort the numbers in ascending or descending order. But, sometimes, you need to sort the numbers by the first digit as following screenshot shown. This article, I will talk about some tricks for solving this problem.

Sort numbers by first digit with helper column

arrow blue right bubble Sort numbers by first digit with helper column

There is no direct way for you to sort the numbers by first digit, you need to apply a formula in a helper column, and then sort the numbers by this helper column, please do as follows:

1. Beside the data column, in the helper column B, please enter this formula: =TEXT(A2,0), and then drag the fill handle down to the cells that you want to apply this formula, see screenshot:

enter a formula to convert the numbers to text format

2. Both select the two columns and click Data > Sort, in the Sort dialog box, choose the helper column you created from the Column section, and then select Values from the Sort on drop down list, at last specify the sort order, see screenshot:

go to the Sort dialog box and set options

3. Then click OK button, in the Sort Warning box, please select Sort numbers and numbers stored as text separately option, see screenshot:

select Sort numbers and numbers stored as text separately option

4. And click OK, the numbers have been sorted by the first digit as following screenshot shown:

the numbers have been sorted by the first digit

5. At last, you can delete the helper column B as you need.

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