The easiest way to sort by date in Google Sheets is to use the Sort range function within the Data tab.

The following step-by-step example shows how to use this function in practice.

Step 1: Enter the Data

First, let’s enter the following set of date values in Google Sheets:

Step 2: Verify that Data is in Date Format

If your data values are not in a date format, you won’t be able to sort them correctly.

To verify that the values are in a date format, make sure that all of the values are aligned to the right in the cell.

In the following screenshot, some of the values are left-aligned which means they’re not in a date format:

To convert each of the values in a column to a date format, simply highlight all of the values in the column and then click the Format tab, then click Number, then click Date.

Each of the values should now be right-aligned.

Step 3: Sort the Data

To sort the date values, highlight the range A2:A12 and then click the Data tab, then click Sort range, then click Sort range by column A (A to Z):

The dates will automatically be sorted from earliest to latest date:

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