Sorting and filtering are essential features in Microsoft Excel that help organize and analyze data efficiently.
Sorting Data
– Basic Sorting: Select the range or table you want to sort. Go to the “Data” tab, click “Sort,” and choose the column to sort by. Options include sorting in ascending (A to Z, smallest to largest) or descending (Z to A, largest to smallest) order.
– Sorting by Multiple Columns: In the Sort dialog box, add levels to sort by more than one column. For example, sort first by department, then by employee name within each department.
– Custom Sorts: Use custom lists (e.g., sorting days of the week as Monday, Tuesday, etc.) by going to “Sort” > “Options” > “Custom List.”
– Key Tips: Sorting works on rows and can be applied to tables, ranges, or even pivot tables. Always ensure your data has headers to avoid mixing them with data rows.
Filtering Data
– AutoFilter: Click the filter icon in the header of a table or select “Filter” under the “Data” tab. Dropdown arrows appear, allowing you to select specific values, search, or apply filters like greater than, less than, or equals.
– Advanced Filter: For more complex criteria, use “Advanced” in the “Data” tab. This lets you copy filtered results to another location or use formulas for custom filtering.
– Date and Text Filters: Filters can handle specific conditions, such as dates between two values or text containing certain words.
– Slicers and Timelines: In tables or pivot tables, add slicers for visual filtering, making it easier to interact with data dynamically.
Combining Sorting and Filtering
– Apply sorting first, then filtering, to refine your dataset. For instance, sort a sales list by date and filter for high-value transactions.
– These features work seamlessly with Excel tables, which automatically include sorting and filtering options when created.
Benefits and Best Practices
– Efficiency: Quickly identify trends, outliers, or patterns in large datasets.
– Best Practices: Use tables for automatic application, clear headers for accuracy, and save a copy of your original data before applying changes to avoid errors.
This overview highlights how sorting and filtering enhance data management in Excel, making it a powerful tool for analysis.
Table of Contents
- Part 1: OnlineExamMaker – Generate and Share Excel Sorting And Filtering Quiz with AI Automatically
- Part 2: 20 Excel Sorting And Filtering Quiz Questions & Answers
- Part 3: OnlineExamMaker AI Question Generator: Generate Questions for Any Topic

Part 1: OnlineExamMaker – Generate and Share Excel Sorting And Filtering Quiz with AI Automatically
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Part 2: 20 Excel Sorting And Filtering Quiz Questions & Answers
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Question 1: What is the primary purpose of sorting data in Excel?
A) To hide rows based on criteria
B) To arrange data in a specific order
C) To perform calculations on data
D) To create charts from data
Answer: B
Explanation: Sorting rearranges data in ascending or descending order based on selected columns, making it easier to analyze and organize information.
Question 2: Which ribbon tab in Excel contains the Sort & Filter options?
A) Home
B) Insert
C) Data
D) View
Answer: C
Explanation: The Data tab in the Excel ribbon provides tools for sorting and filtering, allowing users to manage data organization efficiently.
Question 3: When sorting data in Excel, what does ascending order mean?
A) From largest to smallest
B) From smallest to largest
C) Random arrangement
D) Based on alphabetical order only
Answer: B
Explanation: Ascending order arranges numbers from smallest to largest and text from A to Z, providing a logical sequence for viewing data.
Question 4: How can you sort data by multiple columns in Excel?
A) Select one column and apply sort
B) Use the Advanced Filter option
C) Hold Ctrl and select multiple columns before sorting
D) Go to Sort dialog and add levels
Answer: D
Explanation: In the Sort dialog box, you can add multiple levels to specify the order for each column, enabling complex sorting scenarios.
Question 5: What happens when you apply a filter to a column in Excel?
A) It deletes the data that doesn’t match
B) It hides rows that don’t meet the criteria
C) It sorts the entire worksheet
D) It creates a new worksheet
Answer: B
Explanation: Filtering hides rows that do not match the specified criteria, allowing users to focus on relevant data without altering the original dataset.
Question 6: Which filter option allows you to search for data containing specific text?
A) Number Filters
B) Date Filters
C) Text Filters
D) Custom Sort
Answer: C
Explanation: Text Filters provide options like “Contains” or “Begins with” to filter data based on text strings within a column.
Question 7: In Excel, what is the keyboard shortcut to open the Sort dialog box?
A) Ctrl + S
B) Alt + A + S + S
C) Ctrl + Shift + L
D) F5
Answer: B
Explanation: Pressing Alt + A + S + S accesses the Sort dialog box quickly, streamlining the sorting process for efficient workflow.
Question 8: If you sort a table with headers, what does Excel do by default?
A) It ignores the headers
B) It treats the first row as headers and excludes them from sorting
C) It sorts the headers along with the data
D) It creates a new table
Answer: B
Explanation: Excel automatically recognizes the first row as headers when sorting a table, ensuring they remain at the top and are not mixed with data.
Question 9: Which of the following is NOT a filtering option in Excel?
A) AutoFilter
B) Advanced Filter
C) Pivot Filter
D) Custom Filter
Answer: C
Explanation: While AutoFilter and Advanced Filter are standard, Pivot Filter is not a direct option; pivots use their own filtering mechanisms.
Question 10: How do you remove a filter from a worksheet in Excel?
A) Click Clear All in the Sort & Filter group
B) Press Delete key
C) Reapply the sort
D) Close and reopen the file
Answer: A
Explanation: Selecting Clear All in the Sort & Filter group on the Data tab removes all filters, restoring the full view of the data.
Question 11: What is the result of using the “Sort by Color” feature in Excel?
A) Sorts data based on cell background color
B) Changes the color of sorted cells
C) Filters out colored cells
D) Applies color to the entire row
Answer: A
Explanation: Sort by Color arranges data based on the fill color of cells, which is useful for visually categorized data.
Question 12: In Excel filtering, what does the “Top 10” option do?
A) Filters the top 10 rows only
B) Shows the top 10 items based on values
C) Sorts the top 10 columns
D) Highlights the top 10 cells
Answer: B
Explanation: The Top 10 filter displays the highest or lowest values in a dataset, helping to quickly identify key data points.
Question 13: Can you undo a sort operation in Excel?
A) Yes, using Ctrl + Z
B) No, sorts are permanent
C) Only if you save first
D) Yes, but only on the same session
Answer: A
Explanation: Like most actions, sorting can be undone with Ctrl + Z, allowing users to revert changes if needed.
Question 14: What is an Advanced Filter in Excel used for?
A) Basic text filtering
B) Extracting data to another location based on criteria
C) Sorting multiple sheets
D) Applying auto filters
Answer: B
Explanation: Advanced Filter allows copying filtered data to a new location, providing more flexibility than standard filters.
Question 15: When filtering dates in Excel, which option allows you to select a custom date range?
A) Number Filters
B) Date Filters
C) Text Filters
D) Custom Sort
Answer: B
Explanation: Date Filters include options like “Between” or “This Month,” enabling users to specify exact date ranges for filtering.
Question 16: How does Excel handle blank cells during sorting?
A) They are always placed at the end
B) They are deleted
C) They are placed at the beginning by default
D) It depends on the sort settings
Answer: D
Explanation: Blank cells can be configured to appear at the top or bottom in the Sort dialog, giving users control over their position.
Question 17: What must you do before applying a filter to a range of cells?
A) Convert to a table
B) Select the range
C) Sort the data first
D) Add headers
Answer: B
Explanation: You need to select the range of cells first to apply a filter, ensuring only the intended data is affected.
Question 18: In Excel, what is the difference between sorting and filtering?
A) Sorting hides data, filtering arranges it
B) Sorting arranges data, filtering hides it
C) Both do the same thing
D) Filtering requires internet
Answer: B
Explanation: Sorting reorganizes the order of data, while filtering displays only the rows that meet specific conditions.
Question 19: How can you filter data based on cell icons or conditional formatting?
A) Using Text Filters
B) Using Filter by Color
C) Using Advanced Filter
D) Using Sort by Color
Answer: B
Explanation: Filter by Color allows filtering based on cell fill color, icons, or font color from conditional formatting rules.
Question 20: After applying a filter, how can you see the total number of visible rows?
A) Check the status bar
B) Use the COUNT function
C) Reapply the sort
D) Go to the Formulas tab
Answer: A
Explanation: The status bar at the bottom of the Excel window displays the count of visible rows after filtering, providing a quick summary.
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