Google Sheets can sort and filter your data in many different ways, but any new data you add after the sort stays where it is. However, two ways to work around this problem are using the SORT function or the StaySorted add-on.
The SORT Function
The SORT function is a built-in function that allows you to sort data without using the menus. It accepts a range of cells as input and outputs a new, sorted table. You can specify whether to sort the data alphabetically or numerically and sort by multiple columns.
To use the SORT function, choose the range of cells you selected as the input. For example, if you want to sort a range of cells from B1 to C3, you can use the following formula:
=SORT(B1:C3, 2, FALSE)
This formula tells Google Sheets to sort the data in the range B1:C3 based on the second column in descending order. If you want to sort the data in ascending order, change the FALSE to TRUE.
While the SORT function is a powerful tool for sorting data in Google Sheets, it does have its limitations. For example, it can be difficult to remember the exact syntax of the function. More importantly, you end up with two tables of data – the source table and the SORT function output. This can be confusing as you have two tables with the same data.
StaySorted Add-On
This is where the StaySorted add-on comes in. This add-on automatically sorts data in Google Sheets whenever a change is made to the selected range without creating another table. This means you can set up the add-on once and never have to worry about sorting your data again.
To use StaySorted, you must first install it from the Google Workspace Marketplace. Once installed, click on the “StaySorted” icon in the side panel of Google Sheets. If you don’t see the icon, click Show side panel in the lower right corner of your Google Sheet. Expand your sidebar, and click the “StaySorted” icon.
From there, you can select the column you want to sort by, when to trigger the sort and other options.
After clicking “SAVE & SORT” you will never have to sort your spreadsheet again.
If your Sheet is getting data from an outside source such as Google Forms or Zapier, consider using the Hourly Timer option to keep them in order.
YouTube Video about Auto-Sorting
Summary
Overall, the SORT function and the StaySorted add-on are great tools for sorting data in Google Sheets. While the SORT function does not require an add-on, StaySorted is more straightforward and does not duplicate your data. Depending on your needs, one or both of these tools may be useful for automatically sorting data in Google Sheets.