Formula guide · Excel and Google Sheets · Updated May 13, 2026
Sort Filtered Results in Excel or Google Sheets
Combine SORT and FILTER to return matching rows in a useful order.
Quick Answer
Wrap FILTER inside SORT when you want matching rows returned in a predictable order.
Copyable Formula
=SORT(FILTER(A2:D100,C2:C100="Paid"),4,FALSE)Syntax
=SORT(FILTER(range,condition),sort_column,TRUE)Excel and Google Sheets
Worked Example
| A | C | D |
|---|---|---|
| Client | Status | Amount |
| Acme | Paid | 300 |
| Blue Lab | Paid | 420 |
Result: Returns paid rows sorted by the fourth column in descending order.
Steps
- Build the FILTER formula first.
- Wrap the FILTER result in SORT.
- Choose the column number inside the filtered output to sort by.
- Set TRUE for ascending or FALSE for descending.
Common Mistakes
- Sorting by the source sheet column number instead of the output column number.
- Sorting before filtering when the final result needs only matching rows.
- Forgetting that SORT needs enough empty space to spill.
Excel vs Google Sheets Notes
The core idea works in both Excel and Google Sheets, but separators, function availability, and array behavior can vary by account, locale, and version.
Editorial check: This guide was last updated May 13, 2026. Formula behavior can vary by Excel version, Google Sheets rollout, and spreadsheet locale.