# Spreadsheet question

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spreadsheet-question/419564>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 18, 2007, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spreadsheet-question/419564 "2007-09-18T01:28:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![iftheresaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecae2f/32.png) [@iftheresaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iftheresaway)\
**Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spreadsheet-question/419564/1 "2007-09-18T01:28:27Z")

</div>

I have a question about a spreadsheet for either Excel or Quattro pro (my comp has quattro pro, my husband’s has excel). I would like to create a simple file to mange my coupons with three columns: 1) name of the brand/ product; 2) amount of the coupon; 3) expiration date. Is there a way to link the three so that I can alphabetize according to the first column without losing the individual cells’ relationship (in other words, scrambling the name-amount-date relationship)? If I have to, I guess I could put it all in a single column, but that would make it 1) too messy, and 2) much harder to check the expiration dates and get rid of old ones.

Thank you for any advice - my budget needs the help!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\
**Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spreadsheet-question/419564/2 "2007-09-18T01:31:09Z")

</div>

The auto sort function in Excel will do this just fine. I can’t speak to Quattro Pro.

Just put the cell pointer in the first cell you want to sort of the first column you want to sort and hit the sort button. The only thing that will mess it up significantly is lots of blank cells. If you have that problem, highlight all the cells you want to sort and then hit it.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Gregor\_Samsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@Gregor\_Samsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gregor_Samsa)\
**Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spreadsheet-question/419564/3 "2007-09-18T01:31:52Z")

</div>

First highlight all the colomns you want sorted (all three), then try going into Data, then to Sort. It should give you the option of sorting by any one of the columns.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![iftheresaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecae2f/32.png) [@iftheresaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iftheresaway)\
**Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spreadsheet-question/419564/4 "2007-09-18T02:50:17Z")

</div>

[QUOTE=Gregor Samsa]  
First highlight all the colomns you want sorted (all three), then try going into Data, then to Sort. It should give you the option of sorting by any one of the columns.  
[/QUOTE]

> [@](#):
>
> The auto sort function in Excel will do this just fine.

Sweet. I am definitely going to do this tomorrow when I’m not so tired that my eyelashes are hitting the keyboard. Thanks.

I’ll let you know when I’m a millionaire.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\
**Post date:** [September 18, 2007, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spreadsheet-question/419564/5 "2007-09-18T03:16:21Z")

</div>

Just send the check. 😉