Keith’s Training Hub

LESSON 7 OF 16 · ABOUT 15 MINUTES

Put priorities in a custom order

Show High, Medium, Low instead of alphabetical priority order.

Need the practice files?

Keep using your working copy if you have started the programme.

Practice workbook (.xlsx)

Learn the skill

Alphabetical order puts Low before Medium. A custom list expresses the work order you intend.

Worked example

Practice priority order: High → Medium → Low.

High orders are TR-101 and TR-105. Medium orders are TR-103, TR-106 and TR-107.

Add Order ID A to Z as a second level for a predictable order within each priority.

Follow these steps

  1. In desktop Excel, select the whole range and open Data > Sort.
  2. Choose Priority. Under Order choose Custom List.
  3. Enter High, Medium, Low in that order, one entry per line, or select the list if present.
  4. Add Order ID, A to Z as a second level.
  5. Check all three groups and the eight-record total.

Try it yourself

Write the expected ID order and explain why A to Z on Priority is not suitable.

Check your practical result
  • Expected order: 101, 105, 103, 106, 107, 102, 104, 108.
  • Within each priority, IDs ascend.
  • No source priority has been changed just to force a sort.

This is your own review, not an automatic inspection of Excel.

If it does not work

Custom-list commands vary by platform. If unavailable, follow the worked example or use desktop Excel. Do not purchase an upgrade for this lesson.

Optional knowledge check

This check is for practice. It is not saved or required to continue.

Why use a custom list?

Continue whenever you are ready. No test or recorded score is required.

Course guide and Microsoft helpDownload the whole course guide (.txt)

Steps primarily use Microsoft 365 desktop Excel for Windows. Other versions can differ. Formulas use English names and commas; your region may use semicolons. Work only on the fictional practice copies.

Microsoft: Sort with a custom list (opens in a new tab). Guidance checked 3 November 2026.

Browser knowledge checks do not execute Excel. This programme does not change your saved progress in other courses.

All 16 lessons and the day programme

Welcome and setup: 09:30–09:40. Evaluation and close: 16:15–16:30.

The four session windows match the supplied programme. Lesson times below are approximate independent practice times. Facilitators can use the remaining time for demonstrations, questions and breaks, including lunch within Session 2.

SESSION 1 · 09:40–11:40

More functions

Count, total, classify and work with dates.

  1. Count matching orders with COUNTIF · 15 min
  2. Add matching costs with SUMIF · 15 min
  3. Use IF to label a result · 15 min
  4. Use TODAY without losing a reporting date · 15 min

SESSION 2 · 11:40–14:30

Managing datasets

Keep records together, find what matters and control new entries.

  1. Sort whole records safely · 15 min
  2. Sort by team, then amount · 15 min
  3. Put priorities in a custom order · 15 min
  4. Filter a list and restore every row · 15 min
  5. Make a safe dropdown with data validation · 20 min

SESSION 3 · 14:30–15:30

Linking

Reuse values across cells, sheets and files with clear checks.

  1. Link cells instead of retyping · 10 min
  2. Link sheets inside one workbook · 10 min
  3. Link a value from another file · 15 min
  4. Inspect, repair and safely remove a link · 15 min

SESSION 4 · 15:30–16:15

Charts

Choose a chart, label it and improve its design.

  1. Choose a chart for the question · 15 min
  2. Label the chart so someone else can read it · 15 min
  3. Improve the design without changing the message · 15 min

Final practical task and evaluation →