How do I extract data from multiple worksheets into a dynamic list?

Question

I'm looking for a way to extract data from several worksheets and sort them according to date in a dynamic list that changes automatically when the worksheets are edited/expanded. I would like to use a formula for this. Preferably the new list should also disregard blank rows.

Example (I'm using UK date format):

Worksheet A                     Worksheet B
----------                      ----------
Column A      Column B          Column A      Column B                    
11/01/2019    Apples            12/01/2019    Lemons
14/01/2019    Pears             14/01/2019    Grapefruits
23/02/2019    Plums             22/02/2019    Oranges
...                             ...

Sort into:

Worksheet C
----------
Column A     Column B
11/01/2019   Apples
12/01/2019   Lemons
14/01/2019   Grapefruits
14/01/2019   Pears
22/02/2019   Oranges
23/02/2019   Plums
...

I have been playing around with sub-arrays and such but can't get to the bottom of the solution for my particular problem. I don't want to use VBA nor any built in Excel sort features.

I hope this is not too overkill for a formula. Thanks.

Answer 1

As mentioned by @chrisneilsen this task can be handled by #powerquery .

Please refer to this article to find out how to use Power Query on your version of Excel. It is availeble in Excel 2010 Professional Plus and later versions .

The steps are:

1. Add both tables from your worksheet A and B to the power query editor;
2. Use Append Queries function under the Home tab to combine the two table (into a new one by choice);
3. Sort Column A ascending;
4. Close & Load the combined table into a new worksheet (by default).

Each time you make changes to the source tables on Worksheet A and/or B, you just need to go to the combined table, right click somewhere within the table and select Refresh to update the output (and there are other ways to refresh data that you can google the know how).

Let me know if you have encountered any problem.

Cheers:)