Formatting Issues

How to Keep Months in Calendar Order When Sorting in Excel

Partner Editor Oct 10, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to sort textual month names chronologically rather than alphabetically when organizing data.

How to Keep Months in Calendar Order When Sorting in Excel

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Comparing the same month across different years while preserving the correct year-and-month sequence.
Observed behavior: Sorting month names alphabetically places April first, which disrupts the natural calendar sequence.

Before you start

Before applying sorting rules, ensure your dataset is organized in a proper tabular format without blank rows or columns to prevent data from becoming misaligned.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Excel's Built-in Custom Lists

Excel has a built-in custom list feature for months, allowing you to easily sort text-based month names in correct chronological order without changing your data.

This method is the most efficient way to handle plain text months like 'January', 'February', 'March', or their three-letter abbreviations ('Jan', 'Feb', 'Mar').

Select Data and Open Sort Dialog

Highlight your entire data range or table. Navigate to the 'Data' tab on the top ribbon and click the 'Sort' button to open the Sort dialog box.

Choose the Month Column

In the Sort dialog box, click the 'Sort by' dropdown menu and select the column header that contains your month names.

Apply Custom List Sorting

Click on the 'Order' dropdown and select 'Custom List...'. In the Custom Lists dialog, choose the list that reads 'January, February, March...' (or the abbreviated version if applicable), and click 'OK' twice to apply the sort.

Pro Tip: If you also have a 'Year' column, click 'Add Level' in the Sort dialog to sort by 'Year' first, and then 'Month' to ensure exact chronological sequence.

Solution 2

Add a Month-Number Helper Column

If you are sharing the file with systems or users that do not support custom lists, you can assign a numerical value (1-12) to each month and sort by that number.

Solution 3

Format Entries as Real Dates

Converting text months into actual Excel date values ensures they always sort chronologically by default, as Excel processes dates as sequential serial numbers behind the scenes.

Efficient Spreadsheet Management

Easily Sort Months and Dates with WPS Spreadsheet

WPS Spreadsheet fully supports custom lists, helper column formulas, and advanced date formatting, making it incredibly simple to keep your financial or project data in accurate chronological order.

1. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office and open your spreadsheet file using WPS Spreadsheet.
2. Highlight Your Data: Select the entire table or the specific data range that you need to sort.
3. Access the Sort Tool: Navigate to the 'Data' tab on the top ribbon and click on the 'Sort' icon to open the configuration window.
4. Select Custom List: Choose your month column to sort by, open the 'Order' dropdown menu, and select 'Custom List'.
5. Apply Chronological Order: Select the standard chronological month sequence from the provided lists and click 'OK' to instantly reorganize your data.

Built-in custom lists for instant chronological sortingFull compatibility with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formats and featuresAdvanced formula support for seamless date parsingFree, lightweight, and user-friendly interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel sort my months alphabetically instead of chronologically?

If your months are entered as plain text (e.g., 'January') rather than formatted date values, Excel treats them as standard words. By default, it applies a standard A-Z alphabetical sort, which results in 'April' appearing first.

Can I create my own custom list for specific financial years?

Yes. You can create a custom list starting from any month (e.g., April to March). Go to File > Options > Advanced, scroll down to the 'General' section, click 'Edit Custom Lists', and manually enter your desired month order separated by commas.

How do I sort by year first, then by month?

Open the Sort dialog box (Data > Sort). Set the first 'Sort by' level to your 'Year' column (Smallest to Largest). Then, click the 'Add Level' button and set the second 'Then by' level to your 'Month' column, choosing 'Custom List' under the Order dropdown to ensure calendar sequencing.

Excel & Data Problems