SORT in WPS Spreadsheet on Windows is a built-in function for sorting rows in an array or range by one or more columns; this guide covers 3 core tasks, with 3 available without membership and 0 membership-related items.
At a Glance
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Core tasks | 3 | Matches the number of rows in the How-to Index |
| Available without membership | 3 | Matches the number of Free rows in the index |
| Membership-related items | 0 | All topics in this guide are available directly |
About This Feature
Overview
The SORT function in WPS Spreadsheet is used to sort the rows of a data range by the values in one or more columns. You can insert it from the Insert Function dialog box, type the formula directly in a cell or in the formula bar, and review syntax details from the function help entry.
Core tasks in this guide include:
- Insert SORT from the Insert Function dialog box.
- Type
=SORT(...)directly for faster formula entry. - Review syntax and parameter details before confirming the formula.
This feature is useful for table cleanup, record reordering, and learning dynamic array formulas in WPS Office.
System Requirements
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating system | A Windows device that can run WPS Office normally |
| App version | It is recommended to use the latest version of WPS Office for full function support and help access |
| Network | A network connection is not required for local formula entry, but it is needed for online help or software download |
| Other | You need to be able to open WPS Spreadsheet and edit worksheet cells |
Download & Installation
Before using the SORT function on Windows, install WPS Office and confirm that WPS Spreadsheet opens correctly.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official download | WPS Office Free Download |
| Check after installation | Open WPS Spreadsheet, open any workbook, type =SORT( in a cell, or open the Formula tab and confirm that the Insert Function entry is available |
Source: WPS download page
Compare with Alternatives
| Dimension | WPS | Microsoft | Notion | Adobe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capability Summary | In WPS Spreadsheet, the SORT function sorts rows in an array or range by specified columns and can be inserted from the function dialog or typed directly in a cell. | Microsoft documents table sorting in Word, including ascending or descending order and up to three sort levels in the Sort dialog. | Google documents the SORT(range, sort_column, is_ascending, ...) function for sorting rows in a range by one or more columns. | Notion documents sort settings in database views, where pages can be ordered by properties in a selected view. | Adobe documents page reordering in PDFs, including moving or copying pages within a document. |
| WPS Advantages | Advantage: supports direct worksheet formula entry with =SORT(...); Distinct: combines formula insertion, direct typing, and function help in one spreadsheet workflow. | Compared with WPS: the official page focuses on table sorting from a document interface rather than a worksheet formula function. | Compared with WPS: Google provides a closely related spreadsheet function, while the usage environment is Google Sheets rather than WPS Spreadsheet on Windows. | Compared with WPS: sorting is based on database properties and view settings, not spreadsheet formulas entered in cells. | Compared with WPS: the documented sorting scenario is PDF page organization rather than spreadsheet data sorting with a function. |
| Official Source | — | Sort the contents of a table | SORT function | Views, filters, sorts & groups | Move or copy pages within PDFs |
Overall Conclusion
If your main task is formula-based sorting inside a spreadsheet, SORT in WPS fits directly into cell-based calculation and data processing. Microsoft, Notion, and Adobe document sorting in different product contexts, while Google provides the closest function-based comparison in a spreadsheet environment.
Use Cases
| No. | Scenario | Suitable for | Main pain point | How it helps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sorting score sheets | Teachers and school staff | Records need to be reordered quickly by score or name | Use SORT to return rows in the required order |
| 2 | Organizing sales data | Finance teams and sales operations | Raw data is out of order and hard to review | Sort by amount, date, or another field with SORT |
| 3 | Managing staff or contact lists | Admin and HR teams | Lists need a consistent order by department or ID | Enter a SORT formula in a result area to generate a new order |
| 4 | Learning spreadsheet functions | Students and new office users | Function syntax and parameters are unclear | Use Insert Function and help entries to review syntax |
| 5 | Reworking imported templates | Frequent spreadsheet users | Imported data order does not match analysis needs | Type =SORT(...) directly in the worksheet to reorder results |
Membership & Benefits
Free vs WPS Premium
The SORT function itself is available without a membership. The WPS Office pricing page presents Premium benefits mainly around PDF tools, templates, cloud storage, and additional office features.
| Capability | Free users | WPS Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Entering and using the SORT function | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
| Basic spreadsheet editing | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
| Some advanced PDF and extended tools | May vary by product page | Includes broader feature access |
| Templates, cloud storage, and added benefits | Basic or limited access | Broader benefit coverage |
Source: WPS Office pricing page
Recommendations
| Usage scenario | Recommended plan | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You mainly need SORT, formula entry, and everyday spreadsheet sorting | Free | The function in this guide can be used directly without membership |
| You also need broader PDF, template, or added office benefits | WPS Premium | Suitable for users who need expanded features across modules |
How to Subscribe
- WPS membership center: Subscribe now
Source: WPS Office pricing page