If you’ve combined data from several columns or rows and you need it in one clean alphabetical list, this walkthrough is for you. We’re going to take a set of names that live across multiple columns and rows in Excel, pull them into a single list, and alphabetize without breaking the formulas that created the list in the first place. We’ll do this two ways: alphabetized down a column, and alphabetized across a row.

Step-by-Step: Alphabetize Multiple Columns into One Column

In this first section, we’ll take values from multiple columns and turn them into one alphabetized list in Excel that flows down a single column.

  1. Identify your source range
    Choose the range that holds the values you want to combine. For example, let’s say your data lives in A3:F10.
  2. Create one list with TOCOL
    Pick the cell where your combined list should start, then enter a TOCOL formula.
    Example: =TOCOL(A3:F10)
  3. Wrap that list with SORT
    Now we want the list in alphabetical order. Wrap the TOCOL formula with SORT, which sorts values A to Z.
    Example: =SORT(TOCOL(A3:F10))
  4. Press Enter and confirm the spill
    You should see one clean, alphabetized column of values from your columns in Excel. As your source data changes, this list will stay sorted.
  5. Optional checks
  • If you notice blank cells in the list, confirm whether your source range has blanks.
  • If you need to place the list somewhere else, move the formula, not the spilled results. The formula controls the spill area.

That’s all it takes for a vertical list. TOCOL makes one column, SORT puts it in order, and everything stays dynamic.

RELATED TOPIC: How to Combine Multiple Columns to a Vertical List in Excel

Step-by-Step: Alphabetize Across a Single Row

Now let’s do the same thing, but we want the values to flow across one row instead of down a column in Excel. This is where you’ll use TOROW and SORTBY together.

  1. Identify your source range
    We’ll use the same sample range, A3:F10.
  2. Create one list with TOROW
    Pick the cell where you want the single row to begin, then enter a TOROW formula.
    Example: =TOROW(A3:F10)
  3. Try SORT first to see what happens
    If you wrap TOROW(A3:F10) with SORT, you’ll notice nothing changes. Excel sorts down columns by default, so it doesn’t reorder values left to right.
  4. Use SORTBY to alphabetize horizontally in Excel
    Here’s the trick: SORTBY needs two parts, an array to sort and a “by” array to guide the sort. We use TOROW for both.
    Example: =SORTBY(TOROW(A3:F10), TOROW(A3:F10))
  5. Press Enter and confirm the spill
    You should now see the list flowing across the row, in A-to-Z order from left to right.
  6. Keep it dynamic
    Any new values added to your source will flow into the row and stay alphabetized. No manual sorting required.

Practical Example You Can Follow

Let’s say you have a small roster spread across three columns in Excel and you want to alphabetize them:

  • Column A: Ava, Liam, Zoe
  • Column B: Ben, Mia
  • Column C: Ella, Noah

If this data is in A3:C5, here’s what you’d do.

  • Alphabetized column list:
    =SORT(TOCOL(A3:C5))
    Result: Ava, Ben, Ella, Liam, Mia, Noah, Zoe
  • Alphabetized row list:
    =SORTBY(TOROW(A3:C5), TOROW(A3:C5))
    Result: Ava, Ben, Ella, Liam, Mia, Noah, Zoe across one row

As you can see, the order matches in both cases, just oriented differently.

RELATED TOPIC: How to Concatenate or Combine Data in Excel

When To Use TOCOL vs TOROW

  • Use TOCOL when your final result should be a vertical list that fills down.
  • Use TOROW when your final result should be a horizontal list that fills across.

Both handle multiple columns and rows in the source. Pick based on how you need to display the final list.

Conclusion

Now you can alphabetize multiple columns in Excel without touching the Sort button or rearranging your source data. TOCOL plus SORT handles the vertical lists, and TOROW plus SORTBY takes care of the horizontal ones. It’s simple, it’s flexible, and it scales as your data grows.

If you try this on your own sheet, share how it went in the comments. And if you have a twist on this problem you’d like solved in a future tutorial, send it my way. Thanks for reading, and happy sorting!

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