Sorting on Values Across Groups in Pivots

Sort across group  allows you to sort values across the entire Pivot Table, not just within each parent group.

Before enabling Sort across Group

When you apply sorting in a grouped pivot (like Company State → Product Category → Description), sorting happens within each group only.

For example, if all rows under Alabama have equal values at the top level, sorting by Description or Total only rearranges products inside each category and does not break them out of the Company State group.

After enabling Sort across Group

With Sort across Group, the pivot applies sorting across the entire dataset, ignoring group hierarchy.

Rows are sorted based on the selected column (ex: Total), not by group placement.

You get a true top-to-bottom sorted list, regardless of State / Category / Product grouping.

To enable Sort Across Groups,

1. Go to Settings and select Display.
2. Enable Sort across Group.

Please Note:

Note:  This option will be disabled if any of the following settings are active: 

Layout / structure

• Subtotal or Grand Total rows are enabled.
• Expand/Collapse or Compact View is enabled.
• Columns are placed under the Columns shelf.

Column visibility

• Columns are hidden using Hide Columns.
• Data as row is enabled.
• Missing values are shown.

Sorting / formatting

• Custom sorting is applied.
• Sorting is done by Subtotals.
• Advanced conditional formatting or visual styles are applied.

Formulas / advanced configurations

• Window functions or view formulas are used in the pivot.

Disable the above settings temporarily to enable Sort across Group, apply sorting, and then re-enable any required configurations.