4 Quick Ways to Create Custom Sort List in Excel

Sometimes we need to create custom sort list in Excel. In this article, we are going to show you how to create custom sort list in Excel in 4 swift approaches. We have also included some relevant concerns at the end of this article. So let’s get started.

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Learn to Create Custom Sort List in Excel with 4 Easy Approaches

1. Using Excel Toolbar to Create Custom Sort List

1.1. Sorting by Color in Excel

1.2. Sorting by Reverse List

1.3. Sorting by Texts

1.4. Sorting by Numbers

2. Using SORT Function

3. Using Advanced Excel Option

4. Using Context Menu

How to Make a List in Excel in One cell

Advanced Sorting in Excel

📄 Important Notes

📝 Takeaways from This Article

Conclusion

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Learn to Create Custom Sort List in Excel with 4 Easy Approaches

While writing this article, “How to Create Custom Sort List in Excel”, We’ve considered a dataset that contains approximately 9 columns and 4 rows. In this dataset, we added Name, Hometown, Salary, and Grade to make you better understand. But if you want, you can change the entities and put the values of your own.

APPROACH

1. Using Excel Toolbar to Create Custom Sort List

One of the easiest ways to create a custom sort list in Excel is using the Excel Toolbar. You can use this feature without facing any kind of difficulties when creating a custom sort list. You just follow the steps given below.

⬇️⬇️ STEPS ⬇️⬇️

Firstly, open the Excel Toolbar.
Select the entire table (cells from B3 to G9).
Now go to the Home tab.
Select the Editing.
Select Sort & Filter.
Now click on the Custom Sort option.

You will get a dialogue box named Sort.
When you get the box, select Grade on Column and Custom List on Order.
Now click on OK.

After that, you will find another box named Custom Lists.
Now write 1,2,3,4,5,6 on the List entries and press Add.

Secondly, you will see the numbers you added are one the Custom Lists.
Lastly, click on OK.

Again the dialogue box named Sort will be in front of you.
Now click on OK.

Finally, you will find the number in the column of Grade are in consecutive order.

Undoubtedly, using Excel Toolbar is a very easy method to create a custom sort list.

USING EXCEL TOOLBAR

1.1. Sorting by Color in Excel

You can also make a custom sort list in Excel by using different types of colors. For this, your cells must be colorful. You need to maintain the following steps to achieve this procedure.

⬇️⬇️ STEPS ⬇️⬇️

Initially, tap on the Sorting by Color.
After tapping, select the entire table (cells from B4 to G9).
Now go to the Home option.
Click the Editing tool.
Select Sort & Filter option.
Now click on the Custom Sort.

Again you will get a dialogue box named Sort.
When you get the box, this time select Cell Color on the Sort On.
Click on Copy Level two times as there are three different colors.

You will see three rows have appeared with three different colors.
Now click on the OK button.

Consequently, you will find that all of your cells have been sorted with three separate colors as well.

Finally, we can say that if you want to create a custom sort list in Excel, then this procedure is very simple for you.

USING EXCEL TOOLBAR

1.2. Sorting by Reverse List

Sorting is a very important feature for Excel. You can create a custom sort list by sorting in the reverse list. Just follow the below steps.

⬇️⬇️ STEPS ⬇️⬇️

Firstly, go to Reverse List.
Secondly, put 1 in cell G4 and 2 in cell G5.
Thirdly, drag the Fill Handle to the entire column.

You will find the G column filled with the numbers consecutively.
Now select the cells (G4 to G9).
Select the Home tab.
Select the Sort & Filter option.
Click on the Sort Largest to Smallest option.

Finally, you will find the required cells are in descending order.

USING EXCEL TOOLBAR

1.3. Sorting by Texts

You can create a custom sort list in Excel by sorting by text. It is a very easy technique to sort in Excel. You need to maintain the below steps to obtain this process.

⬇️⬇️ STEPS ⬇️⬇️

Firstly, select the required cells. In our case, we’ve chosen B3 to B9.
Secondly, go to the Home option.
Now select Editing option.
Select on the Sort & Filter.
Finally, click on the Custom Sort menu.

Consequently, you will see a box named Sort.
Make the Order from A to Z.
Click on OK button.

Eventually, you will find the required cells are sorted way.

Surely, sorting by text is a very simple method to create a custom list in Excel.

USING EXCEL TOOLBAR

1.4. Sorting by Numbers

Another way to create a custom sort list in Excel is sorting by Numbers. You just follow the below mentioned steps while achieving this technique.

⬇️⬇️ STEPS ⬇️⬇️

Primarily, select the cells. We selected E3 to E9
Now press the Home option.
Now tap the Editing option.
Click on Sort & Filter
lastly click on Sort Smallest to Largest.

Eventually, you will find the cells are in smallest to largest order.

You can do this to sort from largest to smallest.
This time click on the Sort Largest to Smallest.

Consequently, you will find the cells are in largest to smallest order this time.

Truely, this is a very user-friendly procedure to create a custom list in Excel.

APPROACH

2. Using SORT Function

There are different types of functions in Excel. These functions are very handy and important to do any mathematical calculations. To create a custom sort list in Excel you can use the SORT Function. It is very easy to obtain. Follow the below steps.

⬇️⬇️ STEPS ⬇️⬇️

Primarily, go to the SORT Function.
Now select a random cell and write the following function on the Formula Bar.

=SORT(B2:B9)

You will find another similar table where you have put the above-mentioned function.
But this table is sorted in ascending order. This is an excellent feature of Excel (Microsoft 365).

Finally, using the SORT Function to create a custom sort list in Excel will save you time a lot.

📕 Read More: 6 Ways to Auto Sort When Data Changes in Excel

APPROACH

3. Using Advanced Excel Option

In order to create a custom sort list in Excel, there is another way which is known as the application of Excel File Menu. If you want to approach this tactic you need to maintain the following steps.

⬇️⬇️ STEPS ⬇️⬇️

Firstly, select the File option from the menu.
Secondly, click on Options.

A dialogue box named Excel Options will appear to you.
While getting that option, select the Advanced option.
Find the General section there.
Now click on Editing Custom Lists.

Another box will appear named Custom Lists.
Write 1,2,3,4,5,6 on the List entries.
Now click on Add option.

You will find the numbers are arranged in ascending order.
Click OK.

Now go back to your Excel.
Select the entire cells (cells B3 to E9).
Select the Data tab.
Now click on the Sort feature.

Again you will find a box named Sort.
There select Grade on Column and Custom List on Order.
Click the OK button.

You see the numbers in ascending order as well.
Click the OK button.

Eventually, the Sort box will be there.
Click on the OK button.

Finally, you will find that the whole table is sorted based on the Grade.

Consequently, the application of File Menu in Excel to create a custom sort list is a very user-friendly procedure.

📕 Read More: 5 Ways to Auto Sort When Data Is Entered in Excel

APPROACH

4. Using Context Menu

You can also create a custom sort list in Excel by adopting the Right-Click option. This is also a very simple way. Just follow the below steps.

⬇️⬇️ STEPS ⬇️⬇️

Initially, select the cells which you want to sort.
Then Right–Click on the mouse.
You will see a menu.
Select the Sort option.
Now select Sort Smallest to Largest.

Consequently, you will find that the required cells are sorted according to the order.

Truly, this procedure is a very simple procedure to create a custom sort list in Excel.

How to Make a List in Excel in One cell

To make a list in Excel in one cell, you have to follow the below steps.

⬇️⬇️ STEPS ⬇️⬇️

Firstly, select the B4.
Secondly, select the Insert option.
Now select the Symbols option.

Now you will see a box named Symbol.
Thirdly, choose 2022 in the Character code box.
Now click on the Insert button.

You will find a Dot on the particular cell.

Further, you can copy that symbol or bring it back by following the previous steps.

After writing on that cell, put the four-directional cursor on the cell number and Double–Click on the mouse.

Finally, there will be a sorting list in one particular cell.

Truly, this is a very easy method to make a sort list in Excel in one cell.

Advanced Sorting in Excel

Initially, if you want to create a sort list with advanced sorting in Excel then this section is for you. You can easily do it by maintaining the following steps.

⬇️⬇️ STEPS ⬇️⬇️

Initially, select the required cells. In our case, we’ve selected cells E4 to E9.
Now select the Data tab.
Then click on (A to Z).
Select the Expand the selection option.
Now click on Sort.

Finally, you will see the entire cells have been sorted alphabetically.

Truly, this procedure is very useful and user-friendly when you intend to apply advanced sorting in Excel.

📄 Important Notes

While creating a custom sort list in Excel, you need to be aware of the following things:

🖊️ When you use the Excel Toolbar you have to be careful with the appropriate command.

🖊️ Put the SORT function properly.

🖊️ You should be careful while utilizing Excel File Menu.

📝 Takeaways from This Article

If we summarize the whole article, we basically have tried to show you- how to create a custom sort list in Excel with some approaches.

📌 Firstly, we’ve tried to show you the usage of the Excel Toolbar.

📌 Secondly, we applied SORT Function.

📌 Thirdly, we have adopted the way of Excel File Menu to.

📌 Fourthly, we used the Right-Click option.

We’ve also tried to show you the procedure of making a list in Excel in one cell. Finally, we have shown you the process of advanced sorting in Excel.

Conclusion

We wish that you would be able to create a custom sort list in Excel using this article. As several methods have been shown here, you can easily follow which one is best suited for you. If there is any skepticism in your mind, feel free to ask me in the comment. In the end, to learn more about Excel tactics, we recommend you to visit our website www.ExcelDen.com.