How many columns can I sort by at once?

Up to three. The first column is the primary key, the second breaks its ties, and the third breaks any remaining ties — each ascending or descending independently.

Why does Item10 sort before Item2 in Excel?

Excel compares mixed text and numbers character by character, so '1' in Item10 sorts before '2' in Item2. Advanced Sort uses natural order, so Item2 comes before Item10 the way a person reads them.

Does it keep my header row at the top?

Yes. With 'First row is a header' on, the header stays pinned and only the data rows are reordered. You also see a preview before anything moves.

Home › Excel Guides › Sort by Multiple Columns

How to Sort by Multiple Columns in Excel (with Natural Order)

Excel can sort by several columns at once — but its text sort puts Item10 before Item2, and numbers stored as text land in the wrong place. Here's why, and the one-click way that sorts numbers as numbers and text the way people read it.

Last updated: August 2026

Before		After — Region ↑, then Sales ↓
West · 300	→	East · 500
East · 120	→	East · 120
East · 500	→	West · 300

Why the Sort dialog trips up

Excel's Data ▸ Sort dialog does support multiple levels, so that part isn't the problem. The trouble is how it compares values. Sorting a column like Item2, Item10, Item1 gives you Item1, Item10, Item2, because Excel reads character by character and 1 sorts before 2. Numbers that arrived as text (from a CSV or a paste) sort as text too, so 100 lands before 20. And every time you re-open the dialog you rebuild the levels from scratch.

The 1-click way — Tellsheet's Advanced Sort

Select the range and run Advanced Sort. Pick a first sort column and direction, then optionally a second and third to break ties — each ascending or descending. Numbers are compared as numbers (even when stored as text) and text sorts in natural order, so Item2 comes before Item10. Your header row stays pinned, and you get a preview before any row moves. Pairs with Natural Sort and Group & Summarize.

Frequently asked questions

How many columns can I sort by?

Up to three — a primary key plus two tie-breakers, each ascending or descending on its own.

Why does Item10 sort before Item2 normally?

Excel compares text character by character. Advanced Sort uses natural order, so Item2 comes first.

What about numbers stored as text?

They're compared as numbers, so 100 sorts after 20, not before it.

Is my header row safe?

Yes — leave "First row is a header" on and it stays at the top while the data rows reorder.

Related Excel guides

Sort by three columns in one click

Advanced Sort orders rows by up to three keys — numbers as numbers, text in natural order — with a preview before anything moves.

Get Tellsheet free See pricing