How to Sort Hebrew Text Correctly in an English Excel Workbook
Question details
The user needs to alphabetically sort a column containing Hebrew text in an Excel workbook that is configured with English regional or language settings.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Sorting multi-language or non-English text data consistently within a localized English workbook environment.
- Observed behavior
- Excel fails to consistently sort all Hebrew characters alphabetically because the default English collation and sorting algorithms do not naturally support the Hebrew alphabet sequence.
Before beginning, ensure you have the correct alphabetical sequence of the Hebrew alphabet typed out in a spreadsheet column or copied to your clipboard, as you will use this to build the custom sorting logic.
Create and Sort Using an Excel Custom List
Bypass the default English sorting algorithm by manually defining the Hebrew alphabet sequence as a custom list in Excel.
Because Excel relies on the system's regional settings to determine alphabetical order, a workbook set to English will not inherently know how to sort Hebrew characters correctly. Adding a Hebrew proofing tool or dictionary typically updates spell-check features but rarely fixes the underlying sorting engine. Creating a custom list forces Excel to sort exactly in the order you specify.
Click on the 'File' menu in the top left corner, select 'Options' at the bottom of the sidebar, and then click on 'Advanced' in the left-hand pane.
Scroll all the way down to the 'General' section of the Advanced options and click the 'Edit Custom Lists' button.
In the Custom Lists dialog, either manually type the Hebrew alphabet sequence (separated by commas) into the 'List entries' box, or use the 'Import list from cells' feature to grab the sequence you previously typed in the spreadsheet. Click 'Add', then click 'OK' twice to return to your workbook.
Select the data range containing your Hebrew text. Go to the 'Data' tab on the ribbon and click the 'Sort' button.
In the Sort dialog box, select your Hebrew text column under 'Sort by'. Click the dropdown under 'Order', select 'Custom List', choose your newly created Hebrew sequence, and click 'OK'.
Sort Multilingual Data Seamlessly with WPS Spreadsheets
WPS Spreadsheets offers a built-in Custom Lists feature that allows you to easily define sorting rules for Hebrew or any other non-standard alphabets, delivering a seamless data management experience.
- 1. Open Your Data File: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open the workbook containing your Hebrew data.
- 2. Access Custom Lists: Click on 'Menu' in the top-left corner, go to 'Options', and select 'Custom Lists'.
- 3. Create the Hebrew Sequence: Enter the Hebrew alphabet into the 'List entries' field, click 'Add', and then click 'OK'.
- 4. Apply Sorting: Highlight your data, navigate to the 'Data' tab, click 'Sort', and choose your new Hebrew custom list from the 'Order' dropdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel sort Hebrew incorrectly on English settings?
Excel relies on the active regional settings to determine sorting collation. When set to English, it uses English alphabetical rules, which do not properly recognize or sequence Hebrew characters, resulting in scrambled or inconsistent ordering.
Can I share a workbook with a custom list applied?
Yes. While the custom list itself is stored in your local application settings rather than the workbook, the sorting result is permanent. Once you sort the data and save the file, anyone who opens it will see the correctly sorted Hebrew data.
Will installing a Hebrew language pack fix the sorting issue automatically?
Not necessarily. Installing a Hebrew language pack or proofing tool generally updates the user interface and spell-checking dictionary. It often does not alter the underlying sorting algorithm utilized by the spreadsheet engine when the base regional format is still English.
Is there a specific formula to sort Hebrew characters in Excel?
While modern versions of Excel have the SORT function, it still relies on standard system collation. For alphabets not natively supported by your system's current locale, building a Custom List and sorting via the 'Data' tab remains the most reliable method.
