If you’re using Microsoft Word and you need to put a list in alphabetical order based on the second word in each list entry, e.g. by surname in a list of names, here’s how:
- Highlight the text list.
- Click on the A-Z button in the top menu (Home > Sort), and ‘Options’ (bottom left list).
- Select ‘Other,’ delete and any characters in there, press the spacebar (moving the cursor one space to the right), and click on ‘OK.’
- In the dropdown ‘Sort by’ menu, select ‘Word2’, and click on ‘OK’.
- The list will now be re-arranged into alphabetical order for the second word / surname.