Skip to main content

How to alphabetize lists in Microsoft Word

Microsoft word document.
justplay1412 / Shutterstock

Microsoft Word is a powerful word processing application that's capable of creating complex and compelling documents. It can also perform very simple but useful tasks, like alphabetizing a list.

Even if you know how to use Microsoft Word, you might not know how to alphabetize lists. Well, here's how to do that.

Recommended Videos

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

5 minutes

What You Need

  • Microsoft Word

Sort by the first item in a list

In this example, we'll look at a list of first and last names. We're going to sort them by the first name.

Step 1: To begin, select all the items in your list.

Select list items in Microsoft Word.
Mark Coppock/Digital Trends

Step 2: Select the Sort button from the Home menu.

The sort button in Word.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 3: Under "Sort by" choose "paragraphs" and choose either "Ascending" (A to Z) or "Descending" (Z to A) on the right.

Step 4: Click OK and the results will now be alphabetized by the first name.

List Sorted by first name in Microsoft Word.
Mark Coppock/Digital Trends

So, as long as you have a list of items to sort, they can be arranged in alphabetical order. Just be sure to place each item on a separate line.

Microsoft Word has a vast collection of features, many of which you may not know about. For example, here's how to print labels in Microsoft Word.

Mark Coppock
Mark Coppock is a Freelance Writer at Digital Trends covering primarily laptop and other computing technologies. He has…
How to record a Microsoft Teams meeting
A video call in Microsoft Teams is displayed on a laptop.

Knowing how to use Microsoft Teams to record a meeting can save you so much time that's often spent asking people to repeat instructions or remind you of what they said. Organizations may also want to record troubleshooting meetings for later analysis, compliance requirements, or to recall significant decisions that were made.

Microsoft Teams understands this and has made the recording process simple to use – if it’s set up properly.

Read more
How to use Microsoft Word: a tutorial for beginners
Word document on a laptop on a table.

If you’re completely new to Microsoft Word, you’re probably wondering where to begin. You’ve come to the right place because we’ll get you started. From what you see in the Word window to how to save a document, this Word Tutorial for Beginners is for you.

Note: The information in this tutorial applies to Microsoft Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows. While you may see varying terms, tool locations, or available options, most Word versions have the same basic features. Once you have whatever version of Word you downloaded and installed, you can jump right in.
How to create a new document
When you open Microsoft Word, you can create a new empty document or use a built-in template. To best get familiar with the application and the features we explain here, select a Blank document on the Home screen and follow along!

Read more
How to use Microsoft PowerPoint
How to use Microsoft PowerPoint on a monitor.

Creating a presentation that stands out is no small task. So, if you’re new to Microsoft PowerPoint, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the features and tools you need to build a presentation.

We’ll guide you through the process of creating a PowerPoint slideshow by adding slides and elements as well as how to present the show when you finish. These basics are just what you need as a beginner and should get you off to a terrific start with PowerPoint.

Read more