Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated November 7, 2020)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Excel in Microsoft 365
Martin is importing data into a worksheet from an SQL view; it comes in perfectly. Excel automatically creates a defined table using the imported data. Martin then inserts new columns in the middle of the table so he can start to work with the data, but once these new columns are inserted, he cannot sort the worksheet—the option is grayed out. Martin is wondering why this is happening and how to fix it.
The problem is probably due to the fact that the data is being imported as a defined table. Defined tables can have some "peculiarities" (shall we say) that affect what you can and cannot do with them. You can figure out if this is what is causing the problem by following these steps:
That's it; if you can now add information and sort your data, then the problem is solved. If you cannot see a Design or Table Design tab in step 2 (and you selected a cell in the data table), then your data is not a defined table and these steps won't work. If the problem persists, then it could be because the SQL connection between the data source and Excel is somehow limiting what you can and cannot do with the data. You may need to poke around in the Trust Center settings for external content in order to figure out what will work with your situation.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (9044) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Excel in Microsoft 365.
Solve Real Business Problems Master business modeling and analysis techniques with Excel and transform data into bottom-line results. This hands-on, scenario-focused guide shows you how to use the latest Excel tools to integrate data from multiple tables. Check out Microsoft Excel 2013 Data Analysis and Business Modeling today!
If you have some data in a worksheet that is bold, you may want to sort that data based on the text attribute. This is ...
Discover MoreSorting by dates is easy, and you end up with a list that is in chronological order. However, things become a bit more ...
Discover MoreWant to ignore some characters at the beginning of each cell when sorting? The easiest way is to simply create other ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2024 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments