This article is about 3 different methods to Reverse a List in Excel.
Following is a list of candidates applied for a job. Let’s see the different methods to reverse this list for scheduling the interview.
![](https://xlncad.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/1.1_Data-1.png)
Table of Contents
1. Reverse the list using a Helper column
Create a helper column with sequential numbers (for example 1,2,3,..) adjacent to the column containing the list.
![](https://xlncad.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/1.2_Helper-column-1.png)
Select any of the cells in the helper column > go to the Data tab of Excel ribbon > Click on Sort Largest to Smallest
![](https://xlncad.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/1.3-Reversed-List-1.png)
The list in column B as well as C has been reversed. ‘Peter’, who was at the bottom of the list came to the top.
![](https://xlncad.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/1.4-Reversed-List.png)
2. Reverse the list using a Formula
By combining INDEX function with ROWS function we can reverse the order of a list in Excel.
To reverse the list of values in the cells B3:B12, type in the following formula into a cell and copy the formula into the downward cells. (Here the length of the list is 10, so copy the formula into 9 cells below.)
=INDEX($B$3:$B$12,ROWS(B3:$B$12))
![](https://xlncad.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2.1_Formula.png)
Explanation
The data range containing the list i.e. B3:B12 becomes the first argument array of the INDEX function.
![](https://xlncad.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2.2_Formula.png)
To return the last item from this array, ROWS function is used.
ROWS(B3:$B$12) will evaluate to 10 and will return ‘Peter’ which is the 10th Name in the list.
When copied down to the adjacent below, ROWS(B3:$B$12) will become ROWS(B4:$B$12). This expression will be evaluated to 9 and will return ‘Priya’ which is the 9th Name in the list.
![](https://xlncad.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2.3_Formula.png)
Reverse a list using Power Query
Power Query in Excel also can be used to reverse a List of values or an entire Table.
To reverse the list of candidates, select the cells containing data > Click on From Table/Range in the Data tab of Excel ribbon.
![](https://xlncad.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/3.1-From-Table.png)
Create Table dialog will be activated.
![](https://xlncad.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/3.2-From-Table.png)
Click OK and the data will be loaded into the Power Query Editor.
![](https://xlncad.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/3.3-From-Table.png)
Go to the Transform tab of the Power Query Editor and click on Reverse Rows.
![](https://xlncad.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/3.4-From-Table.png)
See the list has been reversed.
![](https://xlncad.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/3.5-From-Table.png)
To load this data into an Excel sheet, in the Home tab of the Power Query Editor > Close & Load > Close & Load To…
![](https://xlncad.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/3.6-From-Table.png)
In the dialog called Import Data, select the radio button for the Existing worksheet > select the cell where you want to load the data. In this case, I have selected the cell G2.
![](https://xlncad.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/3.7-From-Table.png)
Click OK and the reversed list will be loaded into the cell G2.
![](https://xlncad.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/3.8-From-Table.png)
This is the most dynamic one among all 3 methods explained here. If you plan to add more items to the list, you can update the output table with a single click on the Refresh button in the Data tab of the Excel ribbon.
![](https://xlncad.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/3.-Refresh-Query.gif)