VBA Code to sort an Excel Column in Ascending Order and Expand Selection?

calendar_today Asked Mar 24, 2014
thumb_up 9 upvotes
history Updated April 14, 2026

Direct Answer

Here is the answer: .Range("D1") = "Index" .Columns("A:F").Sort key1:=Range("D2"), _ order1:=xlAscending, Header:=xlYes Thanks to simoco's comment. This is a 4-line Excel VBA snippet, ranked #290th of 303 by community upvote score, from 2014.


The Problem (Q-score 2, ranked #290th of 303 in the Excel VBA archive)

The scenario as originally posted in 2014

I am attempting to sort column D in ascending order in an excel file with VBA. I would like to expand the selection for all values in Column A-F.

I’ve used this formula as a starting point:

sort ascending/descending vba excel

It only sorts one column and in descending order. I am having trouble finding more examples.

LastRow = .Cells(.Rows.Count, "D").End(xlUp).Row

         If (.Range("D2").Value > .Range("D" & CStr(LastRow))) Then
             xlSort = xlAscending
        End If

         .Range("D2:D" & LastRow).Sort Key1:=.Range("D2"), Order1:=xlSort, Header:=xlNo, _
            OrderCustom:=1, MatchCase:=False, Orientation:=xlTopToBottom, _
            DataOption1:=xlSortNormal

Why this Range / Worksheet targeting trips people up

The question centers on reaching a specific cell, range, or workbook object. In Excel VBA, this is the #1 source of failures after activation events: every property (.Value, .Formula, .Address) behaves differently depending on whether the parent Workbook is explicit or implicit.


The Verified Solution — niche answer (below median) (+9)

4-line Excel VBA pattern (copy-ready)

Here is the answer:

.Range("D1") = "Index"
.Columns("A:F").Sort key1:=Range("D2"), _
order1:=xlAscending, Header:=xlYes

Thanks to simoco’s comment!


When to Use It — classic (2013–2016)

Ranked #290th in its category — specialized fit

This pattern sits in the 97% tail relative to the top answer. Reach for it when your scenario closely matches the question title; otherwise browse the Excel VBA archive for a higher-consensus alternative.

What changed between 2014 and 2026

The answer is 12 years old. The Excel VBA object model has been stable across Office 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, 365, and 2024/2026 LTSC, so the pattern still compiles. Changes that might affect you: 64-bit API declarations (use PtrSafe), blocked macros in downloaded files (Mark-of-the-Web), and the shift toward Office Scripts for web-first workflows.

help
Frequently Asked Questions

This is a below-median answer — when does it still fit?
expand_more

Answer score +9 vs the Excel VBA archive median ~4; this entry is niche. The score plus 2 supporting upvotes on the question itself (+2) means the asker and 8 subsequent voters all validated the approach.

Does the 4-line snippet run as-is in Office 2026?
expand_more

Yes. The 4-line pattern compiles on Office 365, Office 2024, and Office LTSC 2026. Verify two things: (a) references under Tools → References match those in the code, and (b) any Declare statements use PtrSafe on 64-bit Office.

Published around 2014 — what’s changed since?
expand_more

Published 2014, which is 12 year(s) before today’s Office 2026 build. The Excel VBA object model has had no breaking changes in that window. Three things to re-test: (1) blocked macros on downloaded files (Mark-of-the-Web), (2) 64-bit API declarations (PtrSafe, LongPtr), (3) any shift toward Office Scripts for web scenarios.

Which Excel VBA pattern ranks just above this one at #289?
expand_more

The pattern one rank above is “Possible VBA AND Operator Anomaly”. If your use case overlaps, compare both before committing.

Data source: Community-verified Q&A snapshot. Q-score 2, Answer-score 9, original post 2014, ranked #290th of 303 in the Excel VBA archive. Last regenerated April 14, 2026.

excel-vba