To sort data in ascending order based on a specific column, what is the correct method?

The correct method for sorting data in ascending order based on a specific column involves selecting the column you want to sort and then applying the sort command. When you select the specific column and choose the sort function, Excel automatically organizes the rows of data in ascending order based on the values in that column. This is a straightforward and efficient way to manage your data, allowing for quick reviews and analysis.

Using a pivot table is not the appropriate choice in this scenario because pivot tables are primarily used for summarizing and analyzing data rather than for sorting it directly. Similarly, conditional formatting applies visual styles to cells based on their values but does not change the order of rows in a dataset. Filtering data manually may alter what is visible, but it will not reorganize the data itself; sorting will arrange the entire dataset based on the specified criteria. The first option directly addresses the need to sort data efficiently in Excel.