How to Sort Excel Columns by Due Date Without Losing Alignment in WPS Office
Question details
The user needs to sort an Excel-friendly table by a Due Date column while keeping all adjacent data in the correct rows.
- Product
- WPS Office Spreadsheets
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user has four columns and needs to sort by the date in the third column without separating the date from its related row data.
- Observed behavior
- Selecting or sorting only the Due Date column sorts that column alone and misaligns the other columns.
Check that the Due Date column uses a consistent date format and that the data range has no completely blank rows or columns inside the table.
Sort the entire data range by Due Date using Data > Sort
Use this method when you need to reorder every row by due date while preserving alignment across all columns.
Sorting the entire range is safer than sorting only the date column. WPS Office Spreadsheets can expand the selection so all adjacent cells stay attached to their original record.
Click and drag to select all columns and rows that contain your data, including headers and adjacent information.
Go to the Data tab and click Sort. If WPS Office prompts you to expand the selection, choose Expand the selection and click Sort.
Under Sort by, select the Due Date column header, set Sort On to Values, and set Order to Oldest to Newest or Newest to Oldest as needed.
Click OK to sort the selected range. Verify that each row still shows the correct due date and related values.
Sort by Due Date from an Excel Table
Use this option when your data is already formatted as a table and you want a quick filter-based sort.
Sort Multiple Columns by Due Date in WPS Office Spreadsheets
WPS Office Spreadsheets can sort your entire selected range by the Due Date column while keeping all adjacent columns correctly aligned. Use Data > Sort, expand the selection, and choose the Due Date column as the sort key.
- 1. Open the workbook in WPS Office Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Office and open the Excel-compatible workbook that contains the due date column.
- 2. Select all columns and rows to sort: Drag from the first header cell to the last cell in the adjacent columns so no record is left behind.
- 3. Choose Data > Sort: Click the Data tab, select Sort, and confirm Expand the selection if the prompt appears.
- 4. Configure the Due Date sort key: In the Sort dialog, choose the Due Date column under Sort by, set Values, and choose Oldest to Newest or Newest to Oldest.
- 5. Apply and verify alignment: Click OK, then scan each row to confirm the due dates and adjacent data stayed together correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does sorting only the Due Date column misalign my data?
When only one column is selected, WPS Office sorts only that column and leaves the other columns in place. Select the entire data range or use Data > Sort with Expand the selection so all columns move together.
How do I expand the selection when sorting by due date in WPS Office?
Select the full data range before clicking Data > Sort. If WPS Office prompts you to expand the selection, choose Expand the selection, then click Sort to include all adjacent columns.
Can I sort by due date if my data is already in an Excel table?
Yes. Click any cell in the table, click the filter arrow in the Due Date column header, and choose Sort Oldest to Newest or Sort Newest to Oldest. Table sorting keeps all rows aligned automatically.
Why is my Due Date column sorting alphabetically instead of by date?
The column may be stored as text. Check that all Due Date cells use a consistent date format. Select the column, right-click, choose Format Cells, and set it to a Date format before sorting.
How do I sort four columns by the date in the third column without losing alignment?
Select all four columns, go to Data > Sort, confirm Expand the selection, choose the third column as the Sort by field, and click OK. The entire rows will be reordered by the due date.
