VBA & Macro Problems

Use VBA to Sort Multiple Excel Ranges Separated by Blank Rows

Natalie Taylor Sep 27, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user needs to sort multiple distinct groups of data within a single worksheet independently, where each group is separated by blank rows.

Use VBA to Sort Multiple Excel Ranges Separated by Blank Rows

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Organizing a large worksheet containing disconnected blocks of data that all require individual sorting based on a specific column (Column AA).
Observed behavior: The data is currently static and segmented by empty rows. Sorting the entire sheet normally mixes or ruins the data blocks, requiring an automated VBA approach to target and sort each group individually.

Before you start

Before running any VBA macro, ensure you save a backup copy of your workbook, as VBA actions cannot be easily undone. Verify that every distinct data group contains the same header configuration so the sort function applies uniformly.

Solution 1Recommended

Use CurrentRegion Property in VBA to Loop and Sort

Write a VBA macro that uses the CurrentRegion property to automatically detect continuous data blocks, sort them by Column AA, and jump over blank rows to the next block.

The most efficient way to handle multiple disconnected ranges is to anchor a variable to the first cell of your data, then use the CurrentRegion property. This property acts identically to pressing Ctrl+A inside a data block, selecting the entire continuous range until it hits an empty row or column.

Open the VBA Editor

In your workbook, press 'ALT + F11' on your keyboard to open the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) editor.

Insert a New Module

In the VBA editor, click 'Insert' from the top menu and select 'Module' to open a new blank coding window.

Write the Sorting Loop

Define a Range variable and set it to your first data block (e.g., Range("A1")). Create a 'Do While' loop that checks if the cell is not empty. Inside the loop, reference 'CurrentRegion', apply the 'Sort' method using Column AA as the Key1, and ensure Header is set to xlYes.

Offset to the Next Data Group

At the end of the loop, redefine your starting Range variable by offsetting it by the number of rows in the CurrentRegion plus 1 (or more, depending on your blank rows) to land on the next data block.

Run the Macro

Close the VBA editor or press 'F5' to execute the macro. The script will step through each separated range, sorting them individually.

Use CurrentRegion Property in VBA to Loop and Sort

Handling Multiple Blank Rows: If your data blocks are separated by more than one blank row, you will need to adjust the offset calculation in your VBA code or add a sub-loop that skips rows until a non-blank cell is encountered.

Use WPS Spreadsheet to Run Macros and Automate Tasks

WPS Spreadsheet fully supports VBA macros, allowing you to easily write, edit, and execute scripts to sort multiple data blocks separated by blank rows. Its intuitive Developer interface makes managing complex automation seamless.

1. Enable the Developer Tab: Open WPS Spreadsheet, go to the top ribbon, and verify that the 'Developer' tab is visible. If not, go to Settings to enable it.
2. Open the Macro Editor: Click on the 'Developer' tab, then click 'Visual Basic' or 'Macros' to open the VBA scripting environment.
3. Insert Your Code: Right-click your workbook name in the project explorer, select Insert > Module, and paste your CurrentRegion sorting script.
4. Execute and Save: Click the 'Run' button (play icon) to sort your data blocks, then save the document as a macro-enabled workbook (.xlsm).

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel macro-enabled (.xlsm) formats.Built-in VBA editor to automate repetitive tasks like sorting distinct ranges.Lightweight architecture ensures fast script execution on large datasets.Free and intuitive interface with a familiar layout to Microsoft Office.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sort multiple groups separated by blank rows without using VBA?

Yes, but it must be done manually. You would have to highlight each continuous data block one at a time and use the standard Sort function from the Data tab. For workbooks with dozens of groups, VBA is highly recommended to save time.

Why is my VBA macro skipping the last data block?

This usually happens if your loop's exit condition is tied to the total used rows, but the final offset miscalculates due to trailing blank rows. Ensure your loop condition checks up to the absolute last populated row in the worksheet using 'Cells(Rows.Count, 1).End(xlUp).Row'.

Does WPS Office support Excel VBA macros?

Yes, WPS Office Pro and certain business editions natively support VBA macros. You can open .xlsm files, access the Visual Basic editor, and run your automated sorting scripts seamlessly.

How do I ensure my headers aren't sorted into the data?

In your VBA Sort method parameters, explicitly set 'Header:=xlYes'. This tells Excel or WPS Spreadsheet to freeze the top row of the CurrentRegion being processed and only sort the rows beneath it.

Excel & Data Problems