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How to sort data by column headers instead of rows in Excel?

Author Sun Last modified

Generally, we can easily sort data by rows in ascending or descending order. However, have you ever tried to sort data by column headers? This means that you need to sort data horizontally as below screenshot shown.

Sort data by column headers

A screenshot showing data sorted horizontally by column headers in Excel

arrow blue right bubble Sort data by column headers

Actually, there is an option in the Sort function that can help you sort data by column headers

1. Select the data range you want to sort by column heads, and click Data > Sort. See screenshot:
A screenshot of the Sort option in the Data tab

2. In the popping Sort dialog, uncheck My data has headers, click Options to display the Sort Options dialog, and check Sort left to right. See screenshot:
A screenshot of the Sort Options dialog with Sort left to right selected

3. Click OK. And then select Row 1 from the Row drop down list, and specify the Sort on and Order as you need. See screenshot:
A screenshot of the Sort dialog with Row 1 selected and other sort options in Excel

4. Click OK. Now the selected range has been sorted by column headers.
A screenshot showing the final result of data sorted by column headers in Excel

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