#080 · Sort Filter & Search Tool

Sort Excel by Multiple Columns

Sort an Excel worksheet by two columns with a stable browser-based sort. Choose the primary column, direction, and header row, then download a new copy.

Office File Tool

Local spreadsheet
row
rows
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How to use this office tool

  1. Upload a workbook and enter the primary column number.
  2. Choose ascending or descending order.
  3. Sort, review the first rows, and download the XLSX result.

What this tool does

Sorts data rows by the chosen primary column and then the next column as a tie-breaker. The header row stays above the sorted records.

Primary column + adjacent secondary column + direction → stable sorted XLSX worksheet

Text comparisons use the browser locale with numeric-aware ordering. Excel may use different locale or custom-list rules.

Supported formats

Reads XLSX, XLS, CSV, and TSV and writes a new XLSX workbook.

InputXLSX, XLS, CSV, TSV as applicable
ProcessingLocal browser session
OutputNew XLSX, TSV, XML, or HTML file

Tips for better results

  • Confirm the header row before sorting.
  • Standardize mixed numbers and text in the sort columns.
  • Use a unique secondary column when deterministic order matters.

FAQ

How does multi-column sorting work here?

The selected column is the primary key and the column immediately to its right is used when primary values are equal.

Can I sort numbers stored as text?

Numeric-looking strings are compared with numeric-aware locale rules, but mixed types should still be cleaned for predictable results.

Does the header row move during sorting?

No. Rows through the selected header row stay in place and only the following data records are sorted.

Is the sort stable when both keys match?

Yes. Records with equal primary and secondary keys retain their original relative order.

Does this change the original file?

No. It creates a separate XLSX download and does not overwrite the uploaded spreadsheet.

Processing notes

PrivacyFiles stay in this browser session
PreviewLimited rows for responsive display
SourceThe original file is not overwritten

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