How to save sort in Microsoft Excel 365

Excel only saves sort criteria automatically when the data is in an Excel table or in certain objects like PivotTables; a simple cell range does not retain sort settings.

To avoid re-entering sort columns each time, convert the data range to a table and then define the sort there:

1. Select any cell in the data range.
2. Convert the range to a table (for example, using Insert > Table).
3. Apply the desired sort on one or more columns using the Sort options on the Data tab.

When data is in a table, Excel saves the sort criteria with the workbook so it can be reapplied each time the workbook is opened. When the sort is reapplied, results may differ if formulas have changed or rows were added/removed.

If the data is kept as a plain range (not a table), sort criteria are not saved and must be redefined each time.

References:

• Use a screen reader to sort or filter a table in Excel
• Sort a list of data in Excel for Mac
• Reapply a filter and sort, or clear a filter
• Sort data using a custom list