How to Sort Multiple Columns in Google Sheets Guide

"Every business has a version of this story: a founder, marketer, or account manager opens a massive Google Sheets file and spends the first 15 minutes of the day just sorting columns to make sense of it. Deals, campaigns, or tasks are all there, but in the wrong order.
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Multi-column sorting is how you turn that chaos into a clear narrative. Let’s walk through the best ways to do it manually, then see how an AI computer agent like Simular can take over the repetitive work at scale.

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Method 1: Advanced Sort for One-Off Cleanups

Use this when you have a static table you want to organize right now.
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1. Select your full data range, including the header row.
2. In the menu, click Data.
3. Choose Sort range, then Advanced range sorting options.
4. If your first row is headers, tick Data has header row.
5. Pick your primary sort column and order (A to Z or Z to A).
6. Click Add another sort column and define the second (or third) sort rule.
7. Click Sort.

This is perfect for snapshots: a weekly export of leads, a one-time mailing list, or a static project tracker.

Pros:

• Very visual and easy to learn.
• Great when the data does not change often.

Cons:

• You must repeat the process every time new rows are added.
• Easy to make mistakes if you forget to include the full range.

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Method 2: SORT Function for Live Ranges

When your data grows over time, use the SORT function to keep a separate, always-sorted view.

Basic pattern: =SORT(A2:D100, 1, TRUE, 3, FALSE)

Here:

• A2:D100 is the data range.
• 1, TRUE sorts by the first column ascending.
• 3, FALSE adds a second sort by the third column descending.

Put this formula on another sheet or below your raw data. As new rows appear in A2:D100, the sorted output updates automatically.

Pros:

• Dynamic: updates when data changes.
• Great for dashboards or read-only reports.

Cons:

• You must manage ranges carefully, or new rows will fall outside.
• Headers cannot be included inside the SORT range.

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Method 3: QUERY for Complex Sorting and Filtering

QUERY is like SQL for Google Sheets and is ideal when you want to sort and filter at the same time.

Example: =QUERY(Data!A:D, 'SELECT A, B, C ORDER BY A ASC, C DESC', 1)

This formula:

• Reads from Data!A:D.
• Selects only columns A, B, and C.
• Sorts first by column A ascending, then column C descending.
• Treats the first row as the header.

Pros:

• Most flexible way to combine filters, sorting, and projections.
• Preserves header rows cleanly.

Cons:

• Query syntax has a learning curve.
• Debugging complex logic can be slow for busy teams.

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Method 4: Let an AI Computer Agent Do the Sorting

Manual methods are powerful, but they assume you have time and attention every day. In reality, that job belongs to a computer.

With a Simular AI agent running on Simular Pro, you can:

• Open your browser or desktop Google Sheets file like a human would.
• Navigate to Data, choose Sort range, and configure multiple sort columns.
• Or insert and maintain SORT or QUERY formulas based on your instructions.
• Trigger the workflow via a webhook from your CRM, analytics tool, or internal system.

Picture this: at midnight, your AI agent wakes up, logs into the right account, opens the Sheet, applies your multi-column sort logic, and then posts a link to a Slack channel or updates a dashboard. By the time your sales or marketing team arrives, everything is already in order.

Pros:

• Removes repetitive clicking and menu navigation from your day.
• Works across your entire desktop and browser, not just Sheet functions.
• Transparent: every step the agent takes is inspectable and adjustable.

Cons:

• Best suited once your sorting logic is stable and agreed upon.
• Requires a short onboarding period to define rules and edge cases.

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When to Move From Manual to AI

If you only touch a Sheet once a month, manual sorting is fine. But if you or your team:

• Sort the same Sheet more than once a day.
• Depend on precise ordering before making decisions.
• Already maintain formulas that teammates are afraid to touch.

…then it is time to let an AI computer agent handle the mechanics. You keep the thinking; the agent owns the clicks."