Possible variations include:

• A vertical list

• A horizontal list

• A sequence beginning with a specified number

• A sequence using a specified increment

• A rectangular array with several rows and columns

Students need to understand:

• 1 means ascending.

• -1 means descending.

• The sort index is the position of the column within the supplied array.

• The original data remains unchanged; the formula creates a separate spilled result. 

The important distinction between SORT and SORTBY

SORT

The sorting column is identified by its numerical position within the array:

• • =SORT(A2:G100,7,-1)

  • This means “sort the supplied array by its seventh column.”

SORTBY

The sorting range is supplied directly:

• =SORTBY(A2:G100,G2:G100,-1)

• This is more flexible because the sort field:

• Does not have to be returned in the result.

• Can be outside the displayed array.

• Can be one of several sort levels. 

Unlike RANDBETWEEN, one RANDARRAY formula can generate an entire spilled block.