Today you will
- sort a small stock sheet by one column and then by two
- copy totals across as plain numbers
- put the rows back in their first order using an ID column
Warm-up
Think about a list you keep for your enterprise, like stock, hours or costs. If someone sorted only the Name column, what would go wrong?
Key words
- A range is a block of cells that belong together. Select all of it before you sort.
- A two-column sort groups rows by one column, then puts each group in order by a second column.
- Paste values pastes the numbers only, without the formula behind them.
- An ID column numbers your rows 1, 2, 3, so you can sort them back to how they started.
Example
Sort a Centra stock list by Category, then by Cost (€). All the Drinks sit together, cheapest first.
You will make a small stock sheet and practise sorting it. Copy the table in the box below into your new sheet, then follow the steps in the box underneath.
| ID | Item | Category | Cost (€) | Qty | Supplier | Total (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coffee beans 1kg | Drinks | 12.50 | 8 | Bean Bros | |
| 2 | Milk 2L | Dairy | 1.89 | 24 | Local Dairy | |
| 3 | Scones (pack 6) | Bakery | 3.20 | 15 | Bake House | |
| 4 | Orange juice 1L | Drinks | 2.10 | 12 | Fruit Co | |
| 5 | Butter 454g | Dairy | 2.95 | 10 | Local Dairy | |
| 6 | Flour 1kg | Bakery | 1.40 | 20 | Bake House |
This file is practice only. Your project work comes in the next activity.
Names don't match the costs any more
You sorted only one column. Press {{kbd:Ctrl+Z}} ({{kbd:Cmd+Z}} on a Mac), select the whole block with the headings, and sort again.
You can't get the first order back
Add an ID column before you sort. Then sort by ID, smallest first.
The heading row ends up in the middle
Turn on the header row option in the sort box.
Independent Practice
- Open {{code:sm3_from_template}} in {{code:Project_Portfolio/09_specialism/sm3}}. If it is missing, make a copy of {{code:sm3_sort_practice}} called {{code:sm3_from_template}}.
- Add an ID column if your sheet does not have one.
- Select the whole block and sort it by one useful column.
- Sort again by two columns that answer a project question, like Category then Cost (€).
- Sort by ID to put the rows back.
- My sheet has an ID column.
- I sorted by one column and by two, and every row still matches.
- Sorting by ID puts my rows back.
- {{code:sm3_from_template}} is saved in {{code:sm3}}.
Unlock the full learning experience
You're previewing this lesson. Get full access to this lesson and hundreds more — each one ready to teach, with interactive activities, printable resources and pupil progress tracking built in.
This lesson is copyright of Coding Ireland 2017 - 2026. Unauthorised use, copying or distribution is not allowed.