Organize information in datasets using sorting and filtering tools
Use sorting to arrange data in ascending or descending order
Use filtering to display data based on text or numbers
Combine sorting and filtering to locate information
Select the data range, including headers
Click the Data tab and select Filter
Click the dropdown arrow on the column you want to sort
Choose Sort A to Z for ascending or Sort Z to A for descending
For multiple columns, use Sort A to Z or Sort Z to A on each column in priority order
Watch the video below to see this objective in action.
You will use the Restaurant Social Media Metrics dataset in every “Try It Yourself” section. Open the link and download a copy of the Excel spreadsheet by selecting File > Download > Microsoft Excel (.xlsx).
Sort the restaurant social media data to find which posts have the highest engagement rates.
Select all data, including headers (A1 to P34)
Click the Data tab and select Filter
Click the dropdown arrow in the Engagement Rate column
Choose "Sort Largest to Smallest" to see the highest engagement rates first
Take time to practice and explore these techniques at your own pace. What other new insights can you find in the data?
Select your data range, including headers
Click the Data tab and select Filter
Click the dropdown arrow in any column header
Choose your filter criteria from the menu options
Use custom filters for specific ranges or conditions
Watch the video below to see this objective in action.
Using the Restaurant Social Media Metrics dataset, filter the data to show only TikTok posts with engagement rates above 50%.
Ensure filters are applied to your data (dropdown arrows visible)
Click the dropdown arrow in the Platform column
Uncheck all platforms except TikTok
Click the dropdown arrow in the Engagement Rate column
Choose Number Filters, then Greater Than
Enter 50 and click OK
Take time to practice and explore these techniques at your own pace. What other new insights can you find in the data?
Apply filters first to narrow down your data
Then sort the filtered results for better organization
Use multiple filter criteria to be more specific
Sort by the most relevant column for your analysis
Watch the video below to see this objective in action.
Using the Restaurant Social Media Metrics dataset, find the Instagram posts with the most likes by filtering for Instagram and then sorting by likes.
Click the Platform dropdown and select only Instagram
Click the Likes dropdown arrow
Choose "Sort Largest to Smallest"
Review the filtered and sorted results to identify top-performing Instagram posts
Take time to practice and explore these techniques at your own pace. What other new insights can you find in the data?
Review and save your own copy of the Sort & Filter Infographic for future reference!
©2025 Copyright by Laura Doherty. All rights reserved.