Sorting Tabular Tables

Word includes a powerful table editor that allows you to create some very flexible tables. However, you may get information from other people that has tables that are created with tabs between columns. As you work with such tables, you may have a need to sort them. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Select all the paragraphs that make up the table.
2. Choose the Sort option from the Table menu. (If you are using Word 6 or Word 95, choose Sort Text from the Table menu.) Word displays the Sort Text dialog box. (Click here to see a related figure.)
3. Use the Sort By drop-down lists to specify the field by which you want to sort. For instance, if you want to sort by the second column (the text after the first tab in each paragraph), you should choose Field 2 in the Sort By drop-down list.
4. Click on Options. Word displays the Sort Options dialog box. (Click here to see a related figure.)
5. Make sure the Tabs radio button is selected.
6. Click on OK to close the Sort Options dialog box.
7. Click on OK to sort your tabular table.