Before we begin, it is important to note that Google Sheets offers two types of date formats: the standard and the custom formats. The standard format can be changed to any regional setting while the custom format can be adapted to your specific needs. Therefore, we will be referring to both the standard and custom formats in this guide.
Step 1: Select the Data to Sort
To sort dates in Google Sheets, you must first highlight the cells containing the data you wish to sort. This can be done by clicking and dragging on the cells, or by selecting the entire column or row.
Step 2: Sort the Data
Once you have selected the cells to sort, you can begin the sorting process. To do this, navigate to the “Data” menu at the top of the screen and click on “Sort sheet by column A”, where column A is the column containing the date values. Alternatively, you can hover over the column header and click the small down arrow to display the column menu, then select “Sort sheet A-Z” or “Sort sheet Z-A” to sort the column ascending or descending order, respectively.
Step 3: Choose the Sort Order
You can sort dates in ascending or descending order. Ascending order will arrange the dates from the earliest to the latest, while descending order will arrange the dates from the latest to the earliest. To choose the sort order, click on the “Sort sheet A-Z” or “Sort sheet Z-A” option in the “Data” menu or the column menu.
Step 4: Select the Date Format
Google Sheets supports several standard date formats, including those based on the region or locale set in your account. Besides, you can also create your own custom date formats to meet your unique requirements. To select the date format, choose “Format > Number > Date time” in the menu or select the “123” symbol below the “Format” option and then choose the “More Formats” option. You can then select the desired format from the drop-down menu.
Step 5: Apply the Sort
Once you have selected the desired date format for your data, click “Sort” to apply the sort order. The system will then automatically arrange the dates according to the selected format, either in ascending or descending order.
Conclusion
Sorting data in Google Sheets is an easy and essential task for anyone working with data. Sorting dates is a particularly important function when working with time-based data, and it is facilitated by the various features Google Sheets provides. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily sort dates in Google Sheets on PC and Mac, and gain insights into your data that could help you make informed decisions.