SORT practice

What you will practise

SORT returns a new ordered list. This bounded practice uses case-insensitive ASCII text ordering rather than locale collation.

SORT(array, [sort_index], [sort_order], [by_col])

The syntax above is a guide. Read the data and each task to choose the right arguments for your formula.

Original formula and spill examples

These examples use the original practice data. Fresh data changes the source; follow the current task. Enter one formula at the anchor. The workbook derives the entire spill without overwriting the source.

Exercise 1 · anchor D2

=SORT(B2:B7)

Expected spill D2:D7 · 6 rows × 1 column.

Exercise 2 · anchor D2

=SORT(A2:C7,3,-1)

Expected spill D2:F7 · 6 rows × 3 columns.

Exercise 3 · anchor D2

=SORT(UNIQUE(B2:B7))

Expected spill D2:D4 · 3 rows × 1 column.

3 exercises in this lesson

1. Exercise 1 · answer in D2

   In D2, use SORT to list all six team values from B2:B7 alphabetically ascending. Keep repeated names.

2. Exercise 2 · answer in D2

   In D2, use SORT to return A2:C7 by Units descending. Keep all three columns and preserve source order for ties.

3. Exercise 3 · answer in D2

   In D2, use SORT around UNIQUE to return distinct teams from B2:B7 in alphabetical ascending order.

Before you check your answer

• Write one anchor formula. Enter the formula in D2. Every derived spill cell is read-only and points back to that same editor. Keep the source intact.
• Check the whole shape. Inspect every row and column of the result, including repeated records, order, text casing and padding. A matching first cell alone is not enough.
• Recover a blocked spill. A #SPILL! error identifies an occupied cell or the worksheet edge. Correct the formula to fit the requested shape; keep immutable source notes. View source and View spill help you inspect both areas.

How the answer is checked

The workbook checks every row and column, the complete dimensions, each typed value and the spill placement. It requires the taught function to execute and tests reusable formulas against changed trusted source data. Fixed results, a function in an unused branch, edited source or submitted derived cells cannot earn completion. Equivalent reusable formulas can pass. Account progress is saved only after the server verifies the same task and access rules.

Use progressive hints when you need help, then try the task again with fresh data. Correctly solving a step opens the next exercise.