---
title: "Sort a Table"
slug: "sort-a-table"
description: "Learn how to sort data in Tables effectively, including filtering options and Excel-native sorting, to enhance your data display and analysis."
tags: ["Excel", "Excel Add-In", "M365"]
updated: 2026-08-06T11:52:23Z
published: 2026-08-06T11:52:23Z
canonical: "help.board.com/sort-a-table"
stale: true
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.board.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Sort a Table

Sorting allows users to control the display order of data in a Table.

> [!NOTE]
> Sorting changes only how data displays. It does not change queries or calculations unless a data refresh is triggered.

Sorting behavior depends on the Table type:

- **Dataset-based Table.** Sorting reorders the specific fields displayed within the Table. This action only affects the current view.
- **Layout-based Table.** Sorting follows the Layout definition.

> [!WARNING]
> This article covers sorting capabilities only. [**Filtering**](/v15/docs/dataset-direct-connections) behavior is documented separately.

## How to sort a Table

To sort a Table:

1. Click on the Table icon on the Task pane and click on **Filter & Sort**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/8d6f1ae8-0cac-4d0d-a208-6245b83df94a/Images/Documentation/image-1771582557321.png)

1. After choosing the feature, the **Add Filter & Sort Rule** button appears. Click it to add a new filter or sort rule.

> [!NOTE]
> Each rule always includes both filtering and sorting options.
2. A **New Filter & Sort rule** drop-down menu appears. In this menu, choose a field in **Choose Field**.

> [!NOTE]
> Users can sort any field type (Entity, Text, Numeric, Date).

> [!NOTE]
> Sorting is available only for fields placed on rows.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/8d6f1ae8-0cac-4d0d-a208-6245b83df94a/Images/Documentation/image-1770811536931 1.png)
3. From **Sort order**, choose one of the following options:

![](https://cdn.document360.io/8d6f1ae8-0cac-4d0d-a208-6245b83df94a/Images/Documentation/image(374).png)
4. Choose a condition.

The available conditions depend on the data type of the selected field: text or numeric.
  - For text fields, the following conditions are available:
    - Contains
    - Does Not Contain
    - Equals
    - Not Equal to
    - Starts With
    - Ends With
  - For numeric fields, the following conditions are available:
    - Equals
    - Not Equal to
    - Greater Than
    - Greater Than or Equal to
    - Less Than
    - Less Than or Equal to
    - Between
5. After creating the filter, members update automatically. Select the members you want to include from the list or click on **Select All**.
6. Click **ADD** to add the rule or **DISCARD** to cancel and return to the Table.

> [!NOTE]
> Active sorting rules are displayed in the side panel and indicated directly on the pivot menu of the Add-in, allowing users to identify which fields are sorted.
> 
> Users can edit or delete individual sorting rules directly from the side panel, remove a specific rule, or clear all sorting rules in a single action. Use the pencil icon to edit a rule and the trash icon next to each rule to delete it. The trash icon displayed on the right of **Active rules** clears all sorting rules at once.
> 
> ![](https://cdn.document360.io/8d6f1ae8-0cac-4d0d-a208-6245b83df94a/Images/Documentation/image-1770886724209.png)
> 
> 
> 
> If a field is removed from rows, any associated sorting rule remains applied. If a field is removed entirely from the Dataset or Layout, the corresponding sorting rule is automatically removed.
> 
> Adding fields to the Pivot Columns area removes any filters and sorting currently applied to the Value fields.

## Excel-native sorting

After a Table is rendered in Excel, users can use Excel-native sorting on the worksheet.

Excel-native sorting:

- Operates only on visible data
- Does not modify the Dataset or Layout definition
- Does not affect Board selections or Data Filters.

> [!NOTE]
> Excel-native sorting is handled entirely by Excel and is not saved as part of the Table definition or Board analytical configuration. When refreshing the Table, Excel-native sorting is removed and must be applied again.

Add-ins are plug-in modules that embed Board functionality in Excel, Word, or PowerPoint.

Layouts, Data Views, Charts, and Data Entry are surfaced inside those applications while connected to a Board Platform.

For example, the Excel Add-in supports functions like BCUBE / BOARD.READ and BSAVE / BOARD.WRITE to retrieve data from or write data back into Board.