Sort items by adjacent number in every other value

This article demonstrates a formula that sorts items arranged horizontally based on the adjacent numbers, every other column contains a number.

The image above shows the data in cell range B2:G2 and the array formula in cell B4 sorts the items based on the adjacent number from large to small.

Having data arranged like the image above shows is not something I recommend, it is far better to have the items in one column and the corresponding numbers in the next column.

You can then sort data much easier using the built-in Filter tool or convert the data to an Excel Table which gives you a lot of extra features like formatting and so on.

This article was created to answer the following question.

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1. Sort items by adjacent number in every other value - Array formula

Array formula in cell B4:

1.1 How to enter an array formula

1. Type the above formula in cell B4.
2. Press and hold CTRL + SHIFT keys simultaneously.
3. Press Enter once.
4. Release all keys.

Copy cell B4 and paste to cells to the right as far as needed.

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1.2 Explaining formula in cell B4

Step 1 - Calculate column number

The COLUMN function returns the column number of the top-left cell of a cell reference.

COLUMN(reference)

COLUMN(A1)*0.5

becomes

1*0.5

The asterisk character is a mathematical operator, it multiplies two numbers.

1*0.5 equals 0.5.

Step 2 - Round number to nearest integer

The ROUND function rounds a number based on the number of digits you specify.

ROUND(number, num_digits)

ROUND(COLUMN(A1)*0.5,0)

becomes

ROUNDD(0.5)

and returns 1.

Step 3 - Extract k-th largest number

The LARGE function calculates the k-th largest value from an array of numbers.

LARGE(array, k)

LARGE($B$2:$G$2, ROUND(COLUMN(A1)*0.5, 0))

becomes

LARGE($B$2:$G$2, 1)

becomes

LARGE({"Nick", 10, "Zack", 15, "John", 13}, 1)

and returns 15. 15 is the largest number in the array.

Step 4 - Find relative position

The MATCH function returns the relative position of an item in an array or cell reference.

MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, [match_type])

MATCH(LARGE($B$2:$G$2,ROUND(COLUMN(A1)*0.5,0)),$B$2:$G$2,0)

becomes

MATCH(15, $B$2:$G$2,0)

becomes

MATCH(15, {"Nick", 10, "Zack", 15, "John", 13},0)

and returns 4. 15 is the fourth value in the array.

Step 5 - Calculate a number sequence that alternates between 0 (zero) and 1.

The MOD function returns the remainder after a number is divided by a divisor.

MOD(number, divisor)

MOD(COLUMN(A1),2)

becomes

MOD(1,2)

and returns 1.

Step 6 - Calculate position

MATCH(LARGE($B$2:$G$2,ROUND(COLUMN(A1)*0.5,0)),$B$2:$G$2,0)-MOD(COLUMN(A1))

becomes

4-MOD(COLUMN(A1))

becomes

4-1

and returns 3.

Step 7 - Get value

The INDEX function returns a value from a cell range based on a row and column number.

INDEX(array, [row_num], [column_num])

INDEX($B$2:$G$2,MATCH(LARGE($B$2:$G$2,ROUND(COLUMN(A1)*0.5,0)),$B$2:$G$2,0)-MOD(COLUMN(A1),2))

becomes

INDEX($B$2:$G$2,3)

becomes

INDEX({"Nick", 10, "Zack", 15, "John", 13},3)

and returns "Zack" in cell B4.

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2. Sort items by adjacent number in every other value - Excel 365 formula

The image above demonstrates a dynamic array formula in cell B4 that sorts and rearranges values based on a horizontal cell range.

Excel 365 formula in cell B4:

The formula above is entered as a regular formula and it works only in Excel 365.

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3. Sort items by adjacent number in every other value vertically

This formula returns data vertically:

Get the Excel file

Sort-names-by-adjacent-numberv2.xlsx

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