Automatically sort new data by multiple columns

**burtonlang** · 10-25-2009, 06:24 PM

I have a spreadsheet that has a list of high school students in a club, with their grades, club meetings they've attended, and service hours they've done each semester.

I currently have it sorted first by grade, and then alphabetically by last name within each grade. There are a lot of members who need to be added to the spreadsheet, and membership will continue to change as seniors graduate and freshmen come in. So is there a way that when I add a student, the list will automatically resort (by grade and name)?

Also, what would be the easiest way to add new students? This spreadsheet will be primarily edited by other people, who have little experience with excel. Perhaps some kind of data form?

**JBeaucaire** · 10-25-2009, 06:43 PM

1) How to expand a list automatically
Use Excel's built-in "LIST" feature.

Highlight the current data.
Press CTRL-L to activate the LIST wizard, turn it on.
The data now has a box bounding current dataset.
The sheet will display an "expansion row" at the bottom of the dataset anytime you activate a cell anywhere in the data.
Any entry you type into the expansion row will cause the sheet to permanently expand to include the new row you just added.
New rows will acquire formulas and formatting from the row above, automatically.

2) Auto Sorting as new items are added
I would install an auto-sort macro or a button that sorts it when needed

==============
If you post up your current sheet, I can offer more direct examples of these suggestions.

Click GO ADVANCED and use the paperclip icon to post up your workbook.

**burtonlang** · 10-25-2009, 07:52 PM

Here's the spreadsheet: csf.xls

Also, is there a way to get rid of the arrows in the column headings, once I've made the list? Some of the columns are very thin, and the arrows cover up the entire heading.

**JBeaucaire** · 10-26-2009, 08:03 AM

The only way to make it simple in this situation is a "sort" button at the top of your sheet. I've added one for you, it will sort your table anytime you click it. Just add items to the bottom whenever you wish, then "sort".