Sort tables in PPT 2019

Unfortunately in PPT there is no sort function. If you want to sort you will have to enlist the help of either Excel or Word.

Sorting PPT table using Word

Create the table in PPT. In the example below, I kept the default style and chose to center the data vertically. All text has the same font size and is aligned to the left in the cell.

Copy the table in PPT.

Launch Word. Before you paste the table, adjust the layout of the Word document. This is not strictly necessary but you will see more of your table if you do. Click the Layout tab, in the Page Setup group, click the Orientation button and select Landscape.

Now click on the Margins button in the same group and choose the narrow option from the offered margins.

Paste the table into Word and choose Keep source formatting. All formatting features that you applied in PPT will be respected.

After that, go back to the Layout tab under Table tools and choose the Sort button, choose the column(s) to sort by and click OK.

Keep in mind that when you work with banded rows, an unbalance can arise with the background of the rows after sorting. Before sorting the example I unchecked Banded rows in PPT using the Table Design tab in the Table Style Options group. Only then did I copy and sort the table.

Select the sorted table and copy it again.

Paste it into Powerpoint and choose the option Keep source formatting.

Most formatting attributes are unchanged such as alignment and row height. Only the font size is not the same. So adjust the table by dragging the handles in the outer corners. Select the table and adjust the font size if necessary. You can also reactivate the banded rows now.

Sorting PPT table using Excel - rows

Create the table in PPT. In the example below, I kept the default style and chose to center the data vertically. All text has the same font size and is aligned to the left in the cell.

Select and paste the table into Excel.

Select the Data tab, and in the Sort & Filter group, click the Sort button.

Next to sort by, choose the column to sort on. Optionally, add levels using the Add Level button. Click OK.

Select and copy the table in Excel and paste it back into PPT using the Keep source formatting option.

Now adjust the table by dragging the handles in the outer corners. Select the table and adjust the font size/alignment and row height if necessary. Reapply the banded rows from the Design tab.

Sorting PPT table using Excel - columns

In the sort dialog box, choose the Options button.

Choose to sort from left to right.

Finally, select which row you want to sort on and click OK.