Google Docs is one of the most popular work tools to store various kinds of data. Whether you’re using it for personal or professional purposes, making sure a list in Google Docs is organized is essential. One way to do that is to alphabetically sort your content. But it can be tricky to put things in alphabetical order.

If you feel like you’re alone in this, don’t worry. Many other people are struggling to alphabetize in Google Docs. Fortunately, making an alphabetical order is actually quite easy once you get the hang of it.

This article will provide you with a step-by-step walkthrough so you won’t have any issues sorting the content in Google Docs alphabetically. Interested to find out how to alphabetize in Google Docs? Let’s get started!

Whether you’re using Google Docs for personal or professional purposes, making sure the sections, lists, and data in your document are organized properly is essential. One way to do that is to sort your content in alphabetical order.

Most users might find it a bit tricky to alphabetize in Google Docs, while it might be slightly easier on Google Sheets. Fortunately, we’re here to help.

This article will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to sort your content on both Google Docs and Google Sheets alphabetically.

What is Alphabetizing in Google Docs?

Often, you’ll use Google Docs for short notes. On other occasions, you’ll make long lists of text. When that happens, it’s better to organize everything in alphabetical order and have neat columns of content. 

Alphabetizing is basically what it sounds like. It means you’re using the first letters of the word to organize the data.

However, don’t think you need to do this manually, even though that’s possible if the list isn’t too long. But since that usually isn’t the case, you need something to make your life easier. That’s why there’s an option to alphabetize in Google Docs.

You can use Google Docs for short notes or long-form content. When it comes to long-form content with multiple lists and headers, it’s better to organize everything in alphabetical order and have neat columns of content.

Alphabetizing is basically what it sounds like. It means you’re using the first letters of the word to organize the data.

While you can organize smaller lists manually, organizing many lists spread across multiple sections can be tedious. This is why Google Docs offers add-ons that alphabetically sort your content in a jiffy.

You can also export your content from Google Docs to WordPress in a jiffy with Wordable’s 1-click feature.

Why Use Alphabetizing in Google Docs?

Alphabetizing is one of the most efficient solutions to organizing everything, from your books to the names of clients. But you can easily get lost in all the content if you don’t structure it properly. By having everything appear in alphabetical order, you’ll be on the top of your game. Moreover, you won’t lose precious time searching for something you need from a huge list of items.

Alphabetizing is one of the most efficient solutions to organizing everything, from sections of ebooks to the names of clients. Without it, you can easily get lost in all the poorly-structured content.

Organizing in alphabetical order makes the content easier to read, allowing readers to quickly skim through and find the section they’re looking for without a hassle.

How to Alphabetize in Google Docs: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

If you’re looking for a way to organize your table, column, or text in Google Docs, there’s no better option than sorting them alphabetically. Plus, the steps are pretty straightforward. In the next section, we’ll show you how to successfully create an alphabetical order of items both in Google Docs and Google Sheets.

You can organize your table, column, and text in Google Docs alphabetically. The same applies to data in Google Sheets.

Here’s how you can sort text and data in Google Docs in alphabetical order:

Alphabetizing in Google Docs Using the Add-on

Proper organization of your content in Google Docs is quickly done by using add-ons. But before we show you how to do so, make sure you’re logged in to your Google account. If you don’t have one, create it now. Finished? Great.

Watch a video tutorial here:

Here are the steps you should follow next:

1. Make sure you open the document you need.
2. Then, click on ‘Add-ons’ and choose ‘Get Add-ons.’
3. Now, type ‘sorted paragraphs’ in the search bar.
4. Tap on it and then click ‘Install’ to start the process.
5. The pop-up message will ask you for permission. Click on ‘Continue’ to finish the installation.

Now that you’ve installed the Add-on, sorting data will be simple. This is what you have to do:

1. Select the text you want to organize.
2. Next, go to ‘Add-ons.’
3. Hover over ‘Sorted paragraphs’ and click on ‘Sort A to Z’ or ‘Sort Z to A.’
4. Wait for a few moments to get an alphabetical order of things.

Before we show you how to sort content, make sure you’re logged in to your Google account. Finished? Great!

Here are the steps you should follow next:

1. Make sure you open the document you need.
2. Then, click on ‘Add-ons’ and choose ‘Get Add-ons.’
3. Now, type ‘sorted paragraphs’ in the search bar.
4. Tap on it and then click ‘Install’ to start the process.
5. The pop-up message will ask you for permission. Click on ‘Continue’ to finish the installation.

Now that you’ve installed the Add-on, sorting data will be simple. This is what you have to do:

1. Select the text you want to organize.
2. Next, go to ‘Add-ons.’

Hover over ‘Sorted paragraphs’ and click on ‘Sort A to Z’ or ‘Sort Z to A.’

And you’re done! It’s that simple.

Alphabetizing in Google Sheets

Since you now know how to make an alphabetical order in Google Docs, it’d be useful to learn how to do it in Google Sheets too. There are two methods, both of which we’ll outline below.

Alphabetizing in Google Sheets Using the Formula:

Memorizing the formula you can use to alphabetize in Google Spreadsheet can be beneficial for your work. First, you need to make sure your document is opened. Once you have a list of things you want to alphabetize, follow these steps:

1. Decide where you want your alphabetical order to appear, and make sure you select that cell.
2. Now, go to the formula bar, type ’=SORT().’ The data in the brackets should be the cell range of the things you want to categorize.
3. Tap ‘Enter,’ and that’s it.

Your alphabetical list of items will appear in the column you wanted.

Alphabetizing in Google Sheets Using the Built-in Options:

Another easy way to categorize data in Google Sheets is by using the built-in options from the menu. Once again, make sure you have the document open and create the list of items you need to organize. If that’s all set, here’s what you should do next:

1. Make sure you select the column.
2. Next, you must click on ‘Data’ from the menu bar.
3. Then, tap on ‘Sort range.’
4. Make sure in ‘Sort by’ is the right column.
5. Select between ‘A to Z’ and ‘Z to A.’
6. Finish by clicking on ‘Sort.’

Now that you know how to alphabetize in Google Docs, it’d be useful to learn how to do it in Google Sheets too. There are two methods, both of which we’ll outline below.

Alphabetizing in Google Sheets Using the Formula:

Like Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets allows you to sort content using formulas within your spreadsheet.

Learning how is pretty easy. This sort of formula tends to be covered in intermediate Excel courses like this one by Acuity Training.

First, you need to make sure your spreadsheet is opened. Then you can follow these steps to implement the sort formula:

1. Decide where you want your alphabetical order to appear, and make sure you select that cell. It cannot be a cell that is already filled in.
2. Now, go to the formula bar, type ‘=SORT().’
3. Within the brackets indicate the range of columns you want to be sorted. For example, A2:A6.
4. Press Enter. This will automatically sort content in ascending alphabetical order.

Here’s an example for the formula ‘=SORT(D1:D6)’:

The objects in Column D have been sorted alphabetically in Column E.

To sort text or data in descending order, repeat Steps 1-4 from above and add:

1. After adding the range, add a comma, then type the number of the column.
2. Add another comma. Then type TRUE if you want to sort in ascending order, or type FALSE if you want to sort in descending order.
3. Tap ‘Enter’.

Here’s an example for the formula ‘=SORT(A1:A6, 1, FALSE)’:

The objects in Column A have been sorted alphabetically, but in descending order, in Column B.

You can tweak the formula to sort text and data across multiple rows and columns.

Alphabetizing in Google Sheets Using the Built-in Option

Another easy way to categorize data in Google Sheets is by using the ‘Data’ option from the menu.

1. Open the spreadsheet.
2. Select the column you want to sort.
3. Next, click on ‘Data’ from the menu bar.
4. Tap on ‘Sort range.’
5. Select the column you want to organize in the ‘Sort by’ menu.
6. Select the sort order. Choose between ‘A to Z’ and ‘Z to A.’
7. Finish by clicking on ‘Sort.’

Alternatively you can select all the cells in the column and sort them by clicking on ‘Data’ and then choosing between the ‘Sort range… ‘ and ‘Sort sheet… ‘ options.

Alphabetize in Google Docs FAQs

Can you alphabetize in Google Docs?

Yes, you can. It’s quite simple. You need to get an Add-on called ‘Sorted Paragraphs’. Once you finish installing it, select the content you want to alphabetize, and navigate to ‘Add-ons’. Now, tap on the ‘Sorted Paragraphs’ and choose the ascending or descending order.

Yes, you can. It’s quite simple. You need to get an Add-on called ‘Sorted Paragraphs’. Once you finish installing it, select the content you want to alphabetize, and navigate to ‘Add-ons’. Now, tap on the ‘Sorted Paragraphs’ and choose the ascending or descending order.

Can you alphabetize bullet-point lists in Google Docs?

Just like alphabetizing any list in Google Docs, you can organize bullet-point lists in the same manner. You’ll need the Add-on you use for other lists.

Just like alphabetizing any list in Google Docs, you can organize bullet-point lists in the same manner. Lists without bullet-points can be organized using the Add-on.

Why should I organize my text alphabetically in Google Docs?

Organizing your text alphabetically will give it some structure. What’s more, it’ll make your lists more accessible. In a nutshell, by organizing items alphabetically, you (and your readers) won’t lose time finding something you need.

Organizing your text alphabetically will give it some structure and make it easier to navigate. This is crucial for long-form content. Moreover, by organizing items alphabetically, you (and your readers) won’t lose time finding specific sections or list items.

Do I only have to organize my text from A to Z in Google Docs?

You can choose how you want to organize the text in Google Docs. Either do it using the ascending option (A to Z) or the descending one (Z to A). This will depend on your preference and requirements.

You can organize text in ascending order (A to Z) or descending order (Z to A), depending on your preference and requirements.

Can you alphabetize in Google Sheets?

You can also alphabetize content in Google Sheet. There are two ways to do it: by using the formula or built-in options. Both take just a couple of seconds and give effective results.

Yes. You can also alphabetize content in Google Sheets. There are two ways to do it: by using the sort formula or the built-in options. Both take just a couple of seconds and give effective results.

Conclusion

As you can see, learning how to alphabetize in Google Docs and Google Sheets is an incredibly efficient and fast solution for organizing content. The steps are easy, you just need to make sure you follow them carefully. Now that you’ve read this article, we’re sure you won’t have any issues making an alphabetical order of items in your documents in the future.

As you can see, sorting content quickly and efficiently in Google Docs and Google Sheets can be quite easy. 

While Google Docs requires a single add-on, Google Sheets has a built-in function or formulas to do the same. Formulas are useful for sorting multiple columns effortlessly, while the built-in function is easier for a single column.

Now that you’ve read this article, we’re sure you won’t have any issues sorting content in your documents in the future.

Kevin Kessler

Kevin J. Kessler is a published author of five fantasy novels, a professional wrestler, and a puppeteer (not all at the same time). Kevin is a content writer at Codeless.

https://getcodeless.com