How to auto sort data alphabetically in Google sheets?

Normally, in Google sheets, you can apply the Sort feature to sort data alphabetically manually, but, sometimes, you may want to sort the data automatically in a column. For example, if there are some changes or new data added in Column A, the data will be sorted automatically as following screenshot shown. How could you achieve this job in Google sheets?

Auto sort data alphabetically in Google sheets with formula

doc auto sort 1

Auto sort data alphabetically in Google sheets with formula

To sort the data alphabetically in a column automatically, please do as this:

1. Enter this formula: =sort(A2:B, 1, TRUE) into a blank cell where you want to locate the sort result, and then press Enter key, the specific data have been sorted in ascending order, see screenshot:

doc auto sort 2

Notes:

1. In the above formula: A2:B is the data range that you want to sort, the number 1 indicates the column number that you want to sort data based on. Please change them to your need.

2. If you want to sort data in descending order, please apply this formula: =sort(A2:B, 1, false) .

2. From now on, when you enter new data or change the data in the column, the data will be sorted automatically, see screenshot:

doc auto sort 1

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  • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
    Rafael Deangelo · 10 months ago
    Nice job! thanks for that. But someone knows how to make the function ignore blank spaces? I apply this formula to a set of data which has variable filled cells, so the sort considers empty spaces. How to ignore them?

  • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
    ander · 10 months ago
    Really helpful! It is possible to sort by multiple criteria: =sort(interval, column1, ascending?, column2, ascending?, ...).
  • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
    danne · 1 years ago
    Want to sort this automaticly but cant make it work

    Numbers are M

    The names are L

    Djurgården 64
    aik 63
    Malmö 63
    Hammarby 61
    Häcken 92
    Norköpping 59
    Göteborg 56



    function onEdit(event){
    var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet();
    var editedCell = sheet.getActiveCell();

    var columnToSortBy = 2;
    var tableRange = "L2:M8"; // What to sort.

    if(editedCell.getColumn() == columnToSortBy){
    var range = sheet.getRange(tableRange);
    range.sort( { column : columnToSortBy, ascending: true } );
    }
    }
  • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
    growupjv@gmail.com · 1 years ago
    Can we update it self column when have any update or change on value (I mean update on column A and B not on the copy D and E)?
  • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
    Growupwork.com · 1 years ago
    Can update it self colume when have any update or change on value (I mean update on column A and B not on the copy D and E)
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    Raquel · 1 years ago
    Is it possible to sort by more than one column? thanks!
  • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
    Deryn · 1 years ago
    Thank you!