How to Sort by Date in Google Sheets

When managing data like deadlines, schedules, or timelines in Google Sheets, sorting by date is essential.

Whether you want to view events from earliest to latest or reverse the order, Google Sheets makes it easy. Sorting dates ensures that your data remains organized, logical, and easier to analyze.

In this guide, you'll learn how to sort your spreadsheet by date using a few simple steps. It works for one column or an entire dataset. Let’s walk through the process.

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Select Your Date Column

Click on the letter at the top of the column that contains your dates (e.g., Column B).

Step 2: Go to the Data Menu

At the top of the screen, click on Data from the main menu.

Step 3: Choose a Sort Option

To sort from earliest to latest, click Sort sheet by column B (A to Z).

To sort from latest to earliest, click Sort sheet by column B (Z to A).

Step 4: For Full Dataset Sorting

If your data includes multiple columns and you want the entire row to move with the date:

Select all your data (including headers, if any).

Go to Data > Sort range.

Check “Data has header row” if applicable.

Choose the date column to sort by.

Choose A → Z or Z → A and click Sort.

Conclusion

Sorting by date in Google Sheets helps keep your information chronological and easier to manage.

Whether you're tracking tasks, appointments, or historical data, a few quick clicks can make your sheet much more functional and professional.

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FAQs are here to guide!

Why is my date column not sorting correctly?

Ensure all cells are formatted as Date under Format > Number > Date.

Can I sort by date and then by another column?

Yes, use Sort range and add a secondary sort column.

What if I want to sort only part of the data?

Just highlight the specific range you want to sort before applying the sort function.

Can I automatically sort by date when new entries are added?

Use Google Sheets scripts or third-party add-ons to auto-sort as data updates.

How to Sort by Date in Google Sheets