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How to sort data numerically then alphabetically in Excel?

Author Sun Last modified

In Excel, when you sort an alphanumeric string list, it defaults to sorting the alphabetic characters first. However, in certain cases, you may want to sort the strings numerically first. In this tutorial, I will show you a trick to solve this by adding a helper column.

A screenshot of sorting alphabetically first in Excel A screenshot of sorting numerically first in Excel

Sort alphanumeric string numerically then alphabetically with formula

Sort alphanumeric string numerically then alphabetically with Kutools for Excel good idea3


arrow blue right bubble Sort alphanumeric string numerically then alphabetically with formula

To sort alphanumeric strings numerically, you need to apply a formula to extract the number from the string into a helper column.

1. Select a blank cell next to the strings, B2 for instance, enter this formula =MID(A2,2,3), and then drag fill handle down to the cells you need. See screenshot:
A screenshot showing the formula to extract numbers from the alphanumeric string in Excel

2. Then keep the formula cells selected, and click Data tab to select one sorting order as you need, in the Sort Warning dialog, check Expand the selection option. See screenshot:
A screenshot of the Sort Warning dialog box

3. Click Sort, and the data has been sort numerically. You can remove the helper column after sorting.
A screenshot of the sorted data after applying the formula in Excel


arrow blue right bubble Sort alphanumeric string numerically then alphabetically with Kutools

If the alphanumeric strings are not combined with the same number of numeric characters and alpha characters as below screenshot shown, how can you quickly sort them numerically then alphabetically?
A screenshot showing mixed alphanumeric strings before sorting

With Kutools for Excel, you can apply its Remove Characters utility to leave only numbers of each string firstly, and then sort them.

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After installing Kutools for Excel, please do as below: (Free Download Kutools for Excel Now!)

1. Copy and paste the data into a new column, column F for instance, and then click Kutools > Text > Remove Characters. See screenshot:
A screenshot of the Remove Characters utility in Kutools tab in Excel

2. In the popping dialog, check Non-numeric option, and then click Ok, the alpha characters have been removed from the copy. See screenshot:
A screenshot showing the Non-numeric option selected in the Remove Characters dialog

3. Keep the copy selected, click Data tab to choose the sorting order you need, check Expand the selection option in the Sort Warning dialog. See screenshot:
A screenshot of the Sort Warning dialog after applying Kutools

4. Click Sort, then the strings have been sorted ascending. You can delete the copy after sorting.
A screenshot of the sorted data after applying Kutools

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Demo: Sort Data Numerically Then Alphabetically Using Kutools

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