Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: Understanding Ascending and Descending Sorts.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated February 22, 2020)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
As you might expect from their names, ascending sorts are done such that values increase, while descending sorts result in values decreasing. How does this affect your actual data, however?
If you choose to do an ascending sort, Excel uses the following sorting order:
Descending is the opposite of ascending. No matter which order you choose, Excel always places blanks (empty fields) at the end of the final list.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2254) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Understanding Ascending and Descending Sorts.
Program Successfully in Excel! John Walkenbach's name is synonymous with excellence in deciphering complex technical topics. With this comprehensive guide, "Mr. Spreadsheet" shows how to maximize your Excel experience using professional spreadsheet application development tips from his own personal bookshelf. Check out Excel 2013 Power Programming with VBA today!
Government and industrial organizations often use a numbering system that relies upon a number both before and after a ...
Discover MoreWhen entering information into a worksheet, you may want it to always be in a correctly sorted order. Excel allows you to ...
Discover MoreSort your data and you may be surprised at what Excel does to your formatting. (Some formatting may be moved in the sort ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments