Sort multiple columns in Excel without sorting column headers?

Question

This seems like it should be so straightforward that I shouldn't even have to ask, but I can't find a way to make this happen.

I need my columns to have informative headers (not A,B,C,D).

I also need to sort many columns by another column, so I have to select multiple columns concurrently.

How do I make an informative header that does not get sorted with the rest of the column?

I've tried selecting the whole worksheet, and then Ctrl+clicking the top row to unselect it, but this operation is not allowed.

I've tried freezing the top row, but this not prevent the headers from getting sorted with the information in the columns.

I've tried splitting the sheet, so that the top row is in a separate pane, and that does not resolve the problem either.

I'm really at a loss here. There has to be a way to prevent my headers from being alphabetized down into the data, right? This just seems absurd. I shouldn't have to write a script to perform this basic operation in the most popular spreadsheet software in the world.

Cutting the header row out before every operation and pasting it back in afterwards can't be the easiest way to do this.

Suggestions?

Answer 1

The Sort routines in Excel have an option to select whether your data has header rows or not.



For Excel 2003, and prior, select the appropriate option when the Sort window appears:



'My data range has: header row or no header row"



Edit: For Excel 2010 (and probably 2007), highlight the data, select the Data tab, and click 'Sort' in the Data and Filter group. When the Sort window appears, make sure there is a check mark in the 'My data has headers' check box in the upper right corner.

Answer 2

Excel Sort Column

Answer 3

Do not select the entire column A, simply select any cell in column A, then click the sort button. This should automatically keep all the data in all the columns together. This might cause problems with a header row, so it would probably be better to select your entire database and click data, sort. Use the dialog box to sort by column A ascending, and check the box if you have a header row.