What should you do before performing any data sorting in Excel?

Before performing any data sorting in Excel, it is crucial to identify the data range. This step ensures that you are sorting the correct set of data. When you define the data range, Excel can recognize the boundaries of the data you want to sort, preventing any unintentional sorting of blank rows or extraneous data.

By accurately identifying the data range, you help maintain the integrity of your dataset, as sorting outside the intended range can lead to disorganized information. It also allows you to sort related data together, particularly if there are multiple columns involved, providing a clearer and more cohesive result.

While formatting your data as a table can enhance the sorting experience by allowing for more features, the fundamental step is always ensuring your data range is appropriately identified. This will help prevent potential errors during the sorting process, leading to better organization and analysis of your data. Other options, while they may contribute to data management practices, do not directly address the preparatory action needed specifically before sorting.