PURPOSE How to sort spreadsheet data alphabetically, numerically, or by date. GENERAL STEPS Open the workbook and navigate to the appropriate Excel menu, ribbon option, or worksheet area. VERIFY RESULTS Review calculations, formatting, filters, charts, or output before saving or sharing the file. TROUBLESHOOTING If Excel behaves unexpectedly, save your work, restart the application, and verify the workbook is not corrupted. BEST PRACTICE Keep backup copies of important spreadsheets and use clear file names and versioning.