Adjusting Group in Excel is reversed extremely quickly

Are you facing a situation where the Group in Excel is reversed and don't know what to do? Check out the article now so TipsMake can support you. 

Working with Excel will inevitably lead to errors that lead to unexpected results. The 'Group' feature is a smart feature to group rows or columns together, easily collapsing or expanding data. But the situation of 'Group in Excel is reversed' is relatively rare. This error can be understood as meaning that when you open or collapse the data group, it does not display as you want. Because this is a rare case, Trum will use his knowledge to help you solve the problem.

How to handle reversed Group in Excel

Some possible reasons why Group in Excel is backwards are:

1. The grouping order when using the Group feature is incorrect. While selecting rows or columns, if there is a disturbance in the data area, the grouping may be reversed. (However, when I tested this on several versions, it was difficult for the Group error to appear in reverse).
2. Another case may be when performing other calculations and editing operations that can cause the Group in Excel to be reversed.
3. Incompatible versions or cases containing linked groups may result in group reversals.

To fix this first you need to Ungroup (Shift + left arrow)  or  Data -> Ungroup. 

Adjusting Group in Excel is reversed extremely quickly Picture 1

Then reposition the data and press Group .

If you suspect some software errors, try fixing the problem by updating your Excel version or repairing Microsoft Office. Reinstalling your Excel version is also a bad idea. But basically, you just need to regroup correctly and you're done.

To avoid the error of not being able to Group in Excel as well as other Group error situations, let TipsMake guide you on how to use the Group feature optimally.

Methods to create Group in Excel

Grouping in Excel can be simply understood as grouping objects in a spreadsheet to better represent your work. We have basic quick grouping methods and special grouping methods by criteria.

Manual Group and Ungroup:

Steps to group data:

1. Select the rows or columns of data you want to group and click 'Data'. In Data, go to Group .
2. Another way is you can use (Shift + Alt + →). 

Adjusting Group in Excel is reversed extremely quickly Picture 3

Steps to ungroup data: 

1. Be sure to unhide the group (if it is hidden). Then continue the steps as for grouping data but select 'UnGroup'.
2. Shortcut Alt + Shift + ← .

Use automatic grouping

Automated groups are more complex but fast and can be applied to group needs effectively.

Examples of common jobs include:

1. You need to arrange by group in Excel: Group of subjects with good scores. Group of subjects with excellent scores….
2. Create multiple groups for your purposes.
3. SUM by group in Excel: Create a group and calculate the sum of that group.
4. …

To use this grouping method you need to do the following:

1. Step 1: Select the data to group or perform multiple automatic groupings.
2. Step 2 : Go to Data and select SUBTOTAL .
3. Step 3: Make customizations to select the group.

Adjusting Group in Excel is reversed extremely quickly Picture 5

The SUBTOTAL table information is as follows:

1. At each change in: The group object changes. For example; time, department, total score,…
2. Use function: Is the function to calculate. The most common is SUM (calculate sum).
3. Add subtotal to: the item to be applied.

This grouping is easier and more convenient as this function can also help you break pages, replace new subtotals, etc.

Conclude

Grouping in Excel is simple but also complicated if you do not remember the usage notes. In another article, TipsMake will explain more clearly how to use and the usage notes. Especially help you avoid the error of not being able to Group in Excel.

When encountering the situation of Group in Excel being reversed, try to implement the solution to adjust the grouping. Software problems, formula errors or links will require solutions and more careful error checking before implementing. Hope you can fix this problem easily and continue working with Excel.

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Jessica Tanner

Update 05 January 2025