SORT in SoftMaker PlanMaker 2026: Produce ascending and descending sorted lists without rearranging inputs
Learn the SORT function in SoftMaker PlanMaker 2026 with sample cells, a reproducible formula, expected results, troubleshooting and the official reference.
Reference checked: Examples have not been run in this spreadsheet application. How we verify guides
Quick answer: Produce ascending and descending sorted lists without rearranging inputs. A field technician wants a live sorted list of four measurement values while retaining the original recording order.
This is a PlanMaker 2026 formula reference with original example data and an independently checkable expected result.
When to use SORT
A field technician wants a live sorted list of four measurement values while retaining the original recording order. The calculation can then be repeated across additional rows while retaining the source values for review.
Syntax and argument order
=SORT(Range [; SortIndex] [; SortOrder] [; ByColumn])
The spelling and argument order come from the official SoftMaker PlanMaker 2026 function reference. The samples use comma-separated arguments as shown in SoftMaker’s English-language examples. PlanMaker documentation also shows semicolons in some syntax descriptions; separator behavior can depend on locale. Follow the separator your installed application accepts.
Reproduce the example
Create a small worksheet with the following cells. Treat the labels as context; the formula references the specified ranges.
| Row | A: Measurement |
|---|---|
| 2 | 14 |
| 3 | 5 |
| 4 | 20 |
| 5 | 8 |
Place the following formula in an empty cell outside the sample range:
=SORT(A2:A5)
Expected result: 5, 8, 14, 20 (four output rows).
Why it works: With omitted optional arguments, SORT orders the first column ascending.
If your result differs, compare the sample values, quotation marks, argument separators, and cell references against the formula shown.
A second example
=SORT(A2:A5,1,-1)
Expected result: 20, 14, 8, 5. Use the second result as a separate check with changed inputs.
Troubleshooting and practical cautions
SORT returns an array that may expand as the source changes. Existing data beneath the formula can block the output with a spill error.
Use SORT for a derived view; use the Data menu sort when you genuinely need to reorder the source records.
Compatibility and version notes
For migrated workbooks, check array and file-format behavior rather than assuming formulas retain the same functionality when saved as legacy .xls or imported into another spreadsheet.
Verification status: The function and arguments were checked against SoftMaker’s PlanMaker 2026 manual, but no native PlanMaker session was available for testing. Calculated outcomes use the listed sample values. No application screenshot is presented as genuine here. Independently calculated expectations are not native-application execution in SoftMaker PlanMaker 2026.
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Documentation: SoftMaker PlanMaker 2026 reference for SORT.