Summary of "Excel Sort Data (by Value, Color, Icon, Own List) & How to Unsort"

Overview

This is a hands-on Excel tutorial showing all the main ways to sort worksheet data and how to restore the original row order (“unsort”). Covered topics include quick sorts, custom lists, multi-level sorts, sorting by cell color and icons (including conditional-format icons), selection pitfalls, and a reliable workaround (index/helper column) to return to the original order.

Key concepts, features and steps shown

Basic sorts

Sort a column ascending/descending (A→Z / Z→A) via right-click > Sort or Home > Sort & Filter.
Excel auto-detects a contiguous data range and headers when there are no blank rows/columns.
Shortcuts for selection:
- Ctrl+A — select the whole contiguous range.
- Ctrl+Shift+Down — extend selection down a column.

Selection behavior / pitfalls

If extra cells/text lie adjacent to the table, Excel may include them in the sort.
To avoid unintended inclusions, explicitly select the exact range you want to sort before applying the sort.

Custom Sort dialog

Open via Home > Sort & Filter > Custom Sort or right-click > Sort > Custom Sort.
Option to mark “My data has headers”.
Add multiple sort levels (for example: Division → Region → App) and rearrange levels with the up/down arrows.
Delete levels as needed.

Custom lists (user-defined sort order)

Create a custom sort order by typing a list (e.g., Productivity, Utility, Game) in Custom Sort and clicking Add.
Excel will follow that specified order instead of the normal A→Z ordering.

Sort by cell color

In Custom Sort set “Sort On” = Cell Color and choose which color(s) should appear first.
You can stack multiple color-levels to control color priority.

Sort by cell icon (including conditional-format icons)

After applying an icon set conditional formatting, use Custom Sort with “Sort On” = Cell Icon.
Choose icon ordering (for example: green flag first, then red, then yellow).

Returning to original order (“unsort”)

Excel does NOT remember the original row order after a sort (unless you immediately press Ctrl+Z).

Reliable workaround — use a helper (index) column before sorting:

Add a new column to the left or right of your data.
Fill a sequential series 1…N (Home > Fill > Series or drag the fill handle).
Perform your sorts as needed.
To restore the original order, sort the sheet by the index column (smallest → largest).

Note: This is a proactive step you must take before altering order if you may need to restore the original arrangement later.

Shortcuts & menu reminders

Ctrl+A — select entire contiguous data region.
Ctrl+Shift+Down — extend selection to bottom of column.
Right-click > Sort — quick access to basic sorts and Custom Sort.
Home tab > Sort & Filter — open Custom Sort and other options.

Guides / tutorials contained in the video

Quick sort by numeric or alphabetic values (ascending/descending).
How Excel detects contiguous data and headers.
How to exclude adjacent extra cells from a sort by selecting the specific range.
Creating and using a custom list for non-alphabetical sort order.
Building multi-level sorts (e.g., Division → Region → App).
Sorting by cell color and stacking color priorities.
Applying conditional formatting icon sets and sorting by icons.
How to “unsort” using a helper/index column (restoring original row order).

Main speaker / source

The video’s narrator / Excel instructor (unnamed in subtitles) — source: YouTube video “Excel Sort Data (by Value, Color, Icon, Own List) & How to Unsort.”