How to Alphabetize in Google Docs? Is There an In-Built Feature?
Unfortunately, at the time of writing this article, there is no in-built feature to alphabetize in Google Docs. This means that if you want to alphabetize a list, you’ll need to do it manually, copy the data to Google Sheets or use an add-on. We’ll cover the two faster methods below.
If you want to sort all your Google Docs documents on your Google Account alphabetically, all you need to do is: open the Google Docs app, hover over the icon called “Sort options” and choose “Title.” If you came here looking for how to alphabetize lists of items or text in Google Docs themselves, the rest of the guide is for you.
Using the Doc Tools or Sorted Paragraphs Add-On in Google Docs
First, let’s discuss how to alphabetize in Google Docs using an add-on. There are two add-ons that will allow you to sort a list in alphabetical order directly in Google Docs:
- Doc Tools;
- Sorted Paragraphs.
Both are free and can be installed from the Google Workspace Marketplace. You can also get them when you’re editing your doc by clicking “Extensions” at the top, hovering over “Add-ons” and clicking “Get add-ons.”
After you install an add-on, it will appear in the “Add-ons” menu in Google Docs. To alphabetize your list with your chosen add-on, highlight the entire list, then go to the “Add-ons” menu and hover over the name of the add-on. A list of options will appear, including alphabetization.
Select the right option (in Doc Tools, it’s called “Sort the selection ascending”) and your list will be sorted in alphabetical order. It’s easy, but keep in mind that the add-ons don’t work for everyone. Reviews have been mixed, with some users finding them helpful and others saying they don’t work or are difficult to use.
Using Google Sheets to Sort a List in Alphabetical Order for Your Doc
How to alphabetize in Google Docs without installing add-ons? Currently, the easiest way is to copy and paste the data into an empty Google Sheet, alphabetize it there, then copy and paste it back into your doc. The steps are as follows:
- Open your doc and an empty Google Sheet.
- Highlight the data you want to alphabetize in your doc and press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Cmd+C (Mac) to copy it.
- In the empty sheet, click where you want to paste the data and press Ctrl+V (Windows) or Cmd+V (Mac).
- Click the “Data” tab at the top of the screen.
- Hover over “Sort range” and click the option that says “Sort range by column A, ascending.” Your data will be sorted in alphabetical order.
- To put the sorted data back into your doc, highlight it in the sheet and press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Cmd+C (Mac).
- In your doc, click where you want to paste the sorted data and press Ctrl+V (Windows) or Cmd+V (Mac).
This is a quick and easy way to alphabetize a list, although it requires you to have both Google Docs and Sheets open at the same time. It’s better than sorting manually, but it’s far from an automatic solution. Let’s hope that Google adds an alphabetizing feature to Docs soon!
Alphabetizing in Google Docs: The Bottom Line
That’s how to alphabetize in Google Docs, both with and without an add-on. If you want a quick and easy solution, your best bet is to copy and paste your data into a Google Sheet, sort it there, then copy and paste it back into your doc. You can also use a third-party alphabetizing website or add-on, although reviews have been mixed and your mileage may vary.
Do you have any other tips for alphabetizing in Google Docs? Let us know in the comments below!
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