Sort Parent Rows and Subrows Together in WPS Office Spreadsheet
Question details
How to sort hierarchical Excel data while keeping child rows beneath their correct parent rows.
- Product
- WPS Office Spreadsheet
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user has hierarchical spreadsheet data with parent rows and child subrows and needs to sort the data without separating subrows from their correct parents.
- Observed behavior
- Sorting only one column or the parent column separates child rows from their parent rows and disrupts the hierarchy.
Select the complete data range that includes both parent and child rows, and check whether your data has a header row before opening the Sort dialog.
Create a Helper Column with a Hierarchical Sort Key
Use this method when you need a stable, repeatable sort and want one column that keeps the parent-child relationship in order.
Insert a new column beside your data and enter =A2&"|"&B2&"|"&C2&"|"&D2 in the first data row, adjusting the cell references to match the columns that define the hierarchy.
Drag the fill handle down to copy the formula to every row so each parent and child row receives its full hierarchical key.
Highlight all rows and columns, including the helper column and header row, rather than selecting only one column.
Click Data > Sort, set the Sort by field to the helper column, and select My data has headers if applicable.
Right-click the helper column header and choose Hide after sorting if you do not want it visible in the final sheet.
Use Custom Sort with Hierarchical Levels in WPS Spreadsheet
Use this method when you do not want to add a helper column and can sort by each hierarchy column in sequence.
Keep Parent and Child Rows Together When Sorting in WPS Office Spreadsheet
Open your Excel workbook in WPS Office Spreadsheet, select the whole data range, and use either a helper sort key or Custom Sort levels to keep child rows under their parent rows without losing the hierarchy.
- 1. Open the workbook in WPS Office Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office, click Open, and select the Excel workbook that contains the parent and child rows.
- 2. Select the full hierarchical data range: Drag to select all columns and rows in the hierarchy, including parent rows, child rows, and the header row if present.
- 3. Open the Sort dialog: Click the Data tab, then choose Sort > Custom Sort to configure the hierarchical sort order.
- 4. Add parent-to-child sort levels: Add levels in the order of the hierarchy, such as column A for the parent category, then column B, column C, and further child attributes.
- 5. Apply and save: Check My data has headers if applicable, click OK, and save the file as .xlsx from WPS Office to preserve the sorted layout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does sorting only the parent column separate child rows from their parents?
Because only the selected column is reordered while the other columns stay in place. In WPS Office Spreadsheet, select the entire data range or use a helper sort key so all parent and child row cells move together.
How do I sort parent and child rows without adding a helper column?
Go to Data > Sort > Custom Sort in WPS Spreadsheet, select the full range, and add sort levels in hierarchical order, such as column A, then B, then C, then D.
Can I use a formula as a helper key for hierarchical sorting?
Yes. Add a helper column and enter =A2&"|"&B2&"|"&C2&"|"&D2, fill it down, then sort the complete range by that helper column.
Does WPS Office support sorting multiple levels like Excel?
Yes. WPS Office Spreadsheet supports Data > Sort > Custom Sort with multiple levels and can open and save Microsoft Excel .xlsx files.
