What is a Quick Sort Algorithm in Excel and How does it Work?
Table of Contents
- Jaro Education
- 23, July 2025
- 11:00 am
For successful analysis and decision-making, being able to sort data efficiently is important, particularly when using large datasets in tools such as Excel. One efficient method for sorting data that stands out because of its quick results and simplicity is the Quick Sort Algorithm.
This blog covers the Quick Sort Algorithm, explaining its functionality and demonstrating the way it can be used in Excel for quicker and better data management.
*freepik.com
What is the Quick Sort Algorithm
Sorting algorithms put data elements in a particular sequence, whether ascending or descending, to make operations on this data more efficient. This algorithm stands out among sorting techniques mainly because of its efficiency properties. This comparison-based and divide-and-conquer algorithm exhibits an average time complexity of O(n log n), surpassing the efficiency of bubble and insertion sort algorithms.
A core feature of the Quick Sort Algorithm is selecting one item from the array and arranging all the other elements into two parts, between those smaller and those greater than the pivot. Subsequently, the algorithm is called again on the resulting sub-arrays, successively sorting the whole array.
How Quick Sort Works?
The Quick Sort Algorithm follows these basic steps:
- Pick a pivot: You may choose any element in the array as the pivot, although the first, last, or middle element is often chosen.
- Partitioning: Arrange the array elements so that values less than the pivot are moved ahead, while values greater than the pivot are placed after. When the array is rearranged, the pivot is already placed where it belongs in the final order.
- Recursion: Apply the two given steps recursively to each partition formed by placing the pivot in the main array. Keep following these steps until the whole array is arranged in order. Due to recursion, the array is split and put back in order, finally becoming completely sorted.
Example:
Let’s say we want to sort the array: [10, 7, 8, 9, 1, 5]
- Step 1: Pick a pivot (in this case, 5).
- Step 2: Rearrange the array: [1, 5, 8, 9, 7, 10]
- Step 3: The pivot (5) is now in its correct position.
- Step 4: Recursively apply the process to the sub-arrays [1] and [8, 9, 7, 10], and so on.
After the recursive calls, the array is sorted as [1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10].
Advantages of Quick Sort Algorithm
Quick Sort Algorithm is frequently selected for sorting data because of its many advantages:
Efficiency
One reason Quick Sort is popular is its high level of efficiency. Its average time complexity is O(n log n), which is faster than other algorithms like bubble sort or insertion sort, which have a time complexity of O(n²).
In-Place Sorting
Quick Sort sorts the array itself, so no additional storage space is necessary. It sorts the elements in the array by moving them inside the same initial array.
Divides Large Datasets Efficiently
Quick Sort excels in sorting large amounts of data. The approach of successive partitioning simplifies difficult sorting tasks and allows the algorithm to execute more efficiently.
Adaptability
Quick Sort can be adapted to support a variety of data types, including arrays and linked lists, and it permits sorting more than numbers, such as strings or dates.
Cache-Efficient
Because Quick Sort is cache-efficient, it usually runs faster and more efficiently, mainly with large datasets. Still, Quick Sort should not be used when the dataset is small or includes many duplicate elements.
Quick Sort in Data Structure
Organizing data efficiently depends heavily on the sorting operations used in data structures. The Quick Sort Algorithm is often chosen to sort different types of data structures:
Arrays
The Quick Sort Algorithm works well in arrays, using both recursion and partitioning. It is particularly effective with arrays because element indexing makes sorting easy.
Linked Lists
Quick Sort is generally applied to arrays, yet it may also be used with linked lists after some modifications. The partitioning process is accomplished by shifting pointers in linked lists rather than exchanging elements.
Trees
Quick Sort may be applied to binary trees or structures resembling trees to sort nodes or elements. Because trees have unique structural constraints, other algorithms, such as merge sort or heap sort, are often selected over Quick Sort.
Applications in data structures demonstrate that the Quick Sort Algorithm simplifies sorting, minimizes memory footprint, and improves the general efficiency of systems.
*freepik.com
Quick Sort Algorithm in Data Structure
Computer science introduces the Quick Sort Algorithm, which is usually discussed as part of data structure and algorithm education. Realizing its functionality makes choosing the most suitable sorting strategy according to your data’s features easier.
When studying data structures, the Quick Sort Algorithm is typically implemented as shown in this way:
1. Array Partitioning
The act of dividing the array is one of Quick Sort’s fundamental parts. The array is divided into two halves, with each half sorted recursively afterward.
2. Pivot Selection
Using an appropriate pivot greatly affects the algorithm’s running time. Inappropriate pivot choice may result in decreased algorithm performance. There are multiple ways to select the pivot:
- First element of the array
- Last element of the array
- Median element of the array
3. In-place Sorting
Being an in-place algorithm, Quick Sort sorts the data within the given array, using only a small, constant amount of extra memory. Because of this feature, it becomes a preferred choice for situations where memory restrictions apply.
4. Recursion
Quick Sort works by partitioning and sorting sub-arrays recursively until the original array is completely sorted.
5. Time Complexity
- Best case: O(n log n)
- Average case: O(n log n)
- Worst case: O(n²) (occurs when the pivot is chosen poorly, e.g., always picking the smallest or largest element)
In practice, Quick Sort often performs better than other O(n log n) algorithms (like merge sort) due to its smaller constant factors and efficient use of memory.
How to Implement Quick Sort in Excel
Even though Quick Sort is not part of Excel’s built-in functions, you can use it by writing VBA code. The simple steps for implementing the Quick Sort algorithm in Excel through VBA are:
Steps to Implement Quick Sort in Excel:
Open Excel
Begin Excel and open a blank workbook for your use.
Access VBA Editor
Quickly open the VBA editor by pressing Alt + F11.
Insert a Module
Simply click Insert > Module in the editor to write the VBA code in a new module.
Write the VBA Code for Quick Sort
Copy the VBA code given below and add it to your module.
Sub QuickSort(arr As Variant, low As Long, high As Long)
Dim pivot As Long, i As Long, j As Long, temp As Variant
If low < high, then
pivot = Partition(arr, low, high)
QuickSort arr, low, pivot – 1
QuickSort arr, pivot + 1, high
End If
End Sub
Function Partition(arr As Variant, low As Long, high As Long) As Long
Dim pivot As Variant
Dim i As Long, j As Long
pivot = arr(high)
i = low – 1
For j = low to high – 1
If arr(j) <= pivot Then
i = i + 1
temp = arr(i)
arr(i) = arr(j)
arr(j) = temp
End If
Next j
temp = arr(i + 1)
arr(i + 1) = arr(high)
arr(high) = temp
Partition = i + 1
End Function
Run the Code
When your code is finished, give the range of cells to the QuickSort subroutine using the QuickSort algorithm to sort your data. To use this, press Alt + F8 and select the macro to start.
Using Quick Sort in Excel can help you sort your data more efficiently and speed up the analysis of large datasets.
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The Excel and other tool users need a basic knowledge of strategies like Quick Sort to handle large datasets. Taking part in an advanced program, such as the Online Master of Science (Data Science) from Symbiosis School for Online and Digital Learning (SSODL) will help you learn new things.
This course covers:
- Databases include several important data structures and algorithms (Quick Sort is one of these).
- Using both Excel and Python to look at data.
- Utilization of sorting algorithms in business and data environments in real time.
- Advanced Excel formulas to organize data.
With such programs, learners can strengthen their technology skills and employ Quick Sort and other logic-based methods to streamline their work with spreadsheets, which is necessary for today’s businesses.
Conclusion
Quick Sort Algorithm is recognized as one of the top efficient algorithms designed to handle the sorting of large datasets. One of its main strengths is its fast performance, along with the ability to sort in place and adapt to different data structures. Relying on Quick Sort implemented in Excel through VBA can noticeably boost your data sorting operations.
Quick Sort is considered the best method for efficiently sorting your data when working with large financial information, customer details, or any other required datasets.
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