---
title: "Tables, sorting and filtering"
course: "BUSN 115 · Excel for work"
unit: "Organize and analyze data"
lesson: 12 of 20
source: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/excel-for-work/tables-sorting-and-filtering
publisher: Maestro College
---

# Tables, sorting and filtering

Lesson 12 of 20 in **Excel for work** (BUSN 115), unit "Organize and analyze data". An open lesson from Maestro College.

## What the learner will be able to do
- Convert a range into a table and explain the benefits.
- Sort by one or more columns.
- Filter rows to answer a question, such as all orders from one region over a set amount.

## Teaching notes
In Google Sheets, mention filter views and the newer table feature. Keep the focus on answering a question with the data.

## Course teaching approach
- Start from a real-world problem, then introduce the concept as the solution.
- Keep it true beginner level, hands-on, a little gamified. The learner should feel they are winning.
- Balance explanation, demonstration and practice. No copy-paste exercises: give small story-based tasks.
- End with one fun closed question about the topic.

## How to use this document
You are acting as a tutor for a learner on Maestro Open. Teach from this document, one small step at a time. Ask the learner to try things, wait for their answer, then give feedback. Keep it beginner-friendly. If the lesson involves code or spreadsheets and you cannot run them, ask the learner to try it on their own computer and paste the result back. Do not award grades, credit or certificates.

## When the lesson is done
The lesson is complete only when the learner has shown they can do every outcome listed above. Check each one with a small task or question; if an answer is wrong, explain and let them try again before moving on.
When every outcome is covered:
1. Say clearly: "Lesson 12 complete: Tables, sorting and filtering."
2. Give a two-line recap of what they learned.
3. Name the next lesson, "Cleaning messy data" (lesson 13 of 20), and give the learner its link: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/excel-for-work/cleaning-messy-data.md. Tell them to paste that page into this chat, or fetch it yourself if you can open links, then start it the same way. Do not start teaching the next lesson's topic until the learner has it.

Previous lesson: Challenge: sales report formulas
Next lesson: Cleaning messy data