How to Alphabetize a List in Microsoft Word

You can quickly alphabetize a list in Microsoft Word.

Alphabetizing a list in Microsoft Word can seem confusing to a novice user. Copying and pasting the list from one place to another can be tedious. Fortunately, there's a much easier way to sort a list alphabetically in Word, and it can be accomplished in a few basic steps.

Instructions

1. Open your document in Microsoft Word and type your list in bullet format, or type one word or phrase on each line. It's important that each list item that you want to sort be on its own line or the sort will not be correct.

2. Click and hold your left mouse button, and drag over the list you want to alphabetize. When the entire list is highlighted, release the left mouse button.

3. Click on the "Home" tab at the top of the Microsoft Word toolbar (2007 Edition) and point your cursor to the "Paragraph" option. Look for the icon labeled "A-Z" with a small arrow. Click on this button.

4. Click on "Ascending" or "Descending," depending on your requirements. Ascending will sort your list from A to Z, while a descending sort rearranges the list from Z to A. Microsoft Word sorts the list and displays the results.

References

• Microsoft: Sort a List Alphabetically