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In Google Sheets, you can easily sort two columns to match by selecting both columns and then clicking on the “Data” tab and choosing “Sort Range.” From there, you can specify which column you want to sort by and whether it should be sorted in ascending or descending order. This will automatically rearrange the data in both columns to match each other, making it easier to compare and analyze the data.
Often you may want to sort two columns in Google Sheets such that the values in each corresponding row match each other.
The following step-by-step example shows exactly how to do so.
Step 1: Enter the Values for the Two Columns
First, let’s enter the following two lists of basketball team names in separate columns:
Step 2: Use MATCH Function to Find Matching Row Values
Next, we will find the row number in Team List 2 in which each team name in Team List 1 appears.
To do so, type the following formula into cell B2:
=MATCH(A2, $C$2:$C$11, 0)
Then click and drag this formula down to each remaining cell in column B:
Note: You can find the complete documentation for the MATCH function in Google Sheets .
Step 3: Sort First Column to Match Second Column
Next, highlight the cell range A2:B11, then click the Data tab along the top ribbon, then click Sort range, then click Advanced range sorting options:
In the new window that appears, choose to Sort by Column B from A to Z, then click Sort:
Feel free to delete the values in column B now:
Notice that the team names in each list are now in the exact same order.
Additional Resources
The following tutorials explain how to perform other common operations in Google Sheets: