Buzz
Today, Mytour will show you how to organize lists alphabetically in Google Docs and Google Sheets. Sorting alphabetically in Google Docs requires installing a Google extension, meaning this process is only possible on a computer. To sort Google Sheets documents alphabetically, you need to access the spreadsheet settings, which can be done on both desktop and mobile versions of Google Sheets.
Steps
Using Google Docs
Open the Google Docs page. Visit https://docs.google.com/document/ using your preferred web browser.
- If you are not logged into your Google account, you will be prompted to sign in with your Google email and password first.
Select the document. Click on the document you wish to sort alphabetically. You may need to scroll down to find it.
- If you don’t have a document ready for sorting, first click on Blank and enter the data you want to arrange alphabetically before proceeding.
Click on the Add-ons tab near the top of the page. A dropdown menu will appear.
Click on Get add-ons…. This option is located within the dropdown menu. A new window will open.
Search for the Sorted Paragraphs add-on. Click on the search bar at the top-right corner of the window, type sorted paragraphs, and press ↵ Enter. The Sorted Paragraphs add-on page will open.
Click the ＋ FREE button. This blue button is located at the top-right corner of the Paragraphs page. A new window will appear.
Select your Google account. Click on the account you are currently using on Google Docs.
Click on ALLOW at the bottom-right corner of the window. Sorted Paragraphs will be granted access to Google Docs, and this data will be added to the Google Docs Add-ons folder.
Select the text to sort. Click and drag your mouse over the text or list you want to arrange alphabetically. The text will be highlighted.
Click on the Add-ons tab at the top of the page. A dropdown menu will appear.
Choose Sorted Paragraphs from the dropdown menu. This option is located within the Add-ons dropdown. A pop-up menu will appear.
Click on Sort A to Z (Sort Alphabetically). This option is at the top of the pop-up menu. The selected information will be arranged in alphabetical order.
Using Google Sheets on a Computer
Open the Google Sheets page. Visit https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/ on your web browser. Your list of Google Sheets will appear if you are logged in.
- If you are not logged into your Google account, you will be prompted to sign in with your Google email and password first.
Select a Google Sheet. Click on the Google Sheet you want to edit. You may need to scroll down to find it.
- If you don’t have a sheet ready for sorting, click on Blank and enter your data before proceeding.
Choose the data you want to sort. Click on the top cell in the data column, then drag your mouse down to the last cell in that column. The data in the column will be highlighted.
- You should only sort one column at a time unless you want to rearrange other parts of the spreadsheet to align with the sorted column.
Click on the Data tab near the top of the page. A dropdown menu will appear.
Choose a sorting method. Click on one of the following options:
- Sort range by column [column name], A → Z – Arrange the selected data alphabetically while keeping the rest of the spreadsheet unchanged.
- Sort sheet by column [column name], A → Z – Sort the column alphabetically and adjust the rest of the spreadsheet to align with the reordered data.
Review the results. The data you selected has now been sorted alphabetically.
- If you're unsatisfied with the results or accidentally made a mistake, press Ctrl+Z (on Windows) or ⌘ Command+Z (on Mac) to undo the sorting.
Using Google Sheets on Mobile
Open Google Sheets. Tap on the Google Sheets app, which features a green sheet icon with a grid of white cells inside.
- If you're not logged into Google Sheets, tap SIGN IN, then select your account or enter your email address and password.
Select the spreadsheet.
New spreadsheet
Locate the column to sort. You may need to scroll left or right to find the column containing the information you want to arrange alphabetically.
Tap on the letter at the top of the column. The contents of the column will be selected.
Tap on the column letter again. A small menu will pop up near the column letter.
Scroll right to the "Sort A - Z" option (Sort Alphabetically). Tap the "More" arrow ► on the right side of the pop-up menu until you find the "Sort A - Z" option.
- On Android, tap the ⋮ or ⋯ button on the right side of the pop-up menu, then scroll down to locate the "Sort A - Z" option.
Tap on Sort A - Z. The contents of the selected column will be rearranged in alphabetical order.
Tips
- On a computer, you can sort information in reverse alphabetical order by selecting the Z → A option (on Google Sheets) or Z to A (for Google Docs).
Warnings
- If you are using someone else's account to edit a Google Doc, ensure you have their permission before installing any extensions.
