Formula guide · Excel and Google Sheets · Updated May 13, 2026
UNIQUE and SORT Together
Use UNIQUE and SORT to create a clean alphabetical list from repeated values.
Quick Answer
Wrap UNIQUE inside SORT when you want a de-duplicated list in a predictable order.
Copyable Formula
=SORT(UNIQUE(B2:B100))Syntax
=SORT(UNIQUE(range))Excel and Google Sheets
Worked Example
| B |
|---|
| Region |
| West |
| East |
| West |
| North |
Result: Returns East, North, West as a clean sorted list.
Steps
- Select the source list.
- Use UNIQUE to remove repeated values.
- Wrap with SORT for a stable output order.
Common Mistakes
- Leaving hidden extra spaces in source values.
- Sorting a range that includes blank rows you do not want.
- Using UNIQUE for case-sensitive cleanup when helper formulas are needed.
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.