Sorting Columns?

[Ari Blum]

Hello,

I have a worksheet with a lot of columns A:CG and would
like to easily change the order of the columns for
different presentation formats.

Does anyone have a thought as to how to do this? The
closest thing I can relate it to is the idea of sorting
columns, but I haven't been able to find any way to do
that.

Thanks,

Ari Blum

 

[Gord Dibben]

Ari

Check out View>Custom Views to create different views. The columns would have
to be moved manually to get the view you want. Once saved as a view, just
pick that one from the dialog box.

Using the Report Manager add-in along with Custom Views, you can get right
fancy.

You can sort left to right. Select all columns then Data>Sort>Options and
check "left to right".

Gord Dibben Excel MVP - XL97 SR2 & XL2002

 

[Andy Brown]

I thoughts Views only worked for column widths, inc. hiding/unhiding.

Sorry,
Andy

 

[Gord Dibben]

You're correct Andy. I was thinking of hiding columns but on second read, OP
wants to move them around. Custom Views would not support that.

Gord

 

[David McRitchie]

Hi Ari,
Your formulas may not be any good after sorting, so
you might have to convert a copy of the sheet to values before
sorting on columns. Since you might have different orders or
may not want to put the sequence numbers for sorting in Row 1
you could sort sheet on Row 8 by
Select cell A8, then Ctrl+A, then sort as Andy described

This is strictly manual, but to rearrange the columns in a worksheet
you can select a column(s) then grab the left border below the
the column letter(s) and then while holding SHIFT drag the
column(s) to new location for example between column C and D.

You may have a problem with formulas with either method though
it may not be a serious as as was thinking since you would not
be breaking groups for totals in the middle of a group, and I've been
doing it previously rewithout thinking of it causing problems with
some formulas. For example =SUM(B8:F8) is is unlikely
that you would rearrange splitting B88 away from E8:F8. .