This post is a part of the PL-300: Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Exam Prep Hub; and this topic falls under these sections:
Visualize and analyze the data (25–30%)
   --> Enhance reports for usability and storytelling
      --> Apply sorting to visuals

Below are 10 practice questions (with answers and explanations) for this topic of the exam.
There are also 2 practice tests for the PL-300 exam with 60 questions each (with answers) available on the hub.

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Practice Questions

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Question 1

You have a bar chart showing Sales by Product Name. The bars are currently sorted alphabetically. You want to rank products from highest to lowest sales. What should you do?

A. Create a calculated column for sales
B. Use Sort by Column on Product Name
C. Sort the visual by the Sales measure
D. Apply a Top N filter

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Visual-level sorting allows you to sort by any field in the visual, including measures. Sorting by the Sales measure ranks products correctly by performance.

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Question 2

Month names in a report appear alphabetically instead of January through December. What is the best solution?

A. Sort the visual by Month Name descending
B. Create a Month Number column and use Sort by Column
C. Sort by a measure
D. Use a Top N filter

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
The Sort by Column feature enforces a logical order using a supporting column (Month Number). This ensures correct ordering across all visuals.

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Question 3

Which statement about Sort by Column is true?

A. It only applies to the current visual
B. It can sort by a measure
C. It applies globally wherever the column is used
D. It works only in Power BI Service

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Sort by Column is a model-level setting. Once applied, all visuals using that column follow the defined sort order.

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Question 4

You want a table visual to dynamically reorder rows based on slicer selections. Which sorting method supports this?

A. Alphabetical sorting
B. Sort by a static column
C. Sort by a measure
D. Manual row ordering

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Sorting by a measure is evaluated in the current filter context, meaning slicers and filters dynamically affect the order.

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Question 5

Which visual does not support sorting?

A. Bar chart
B. Table
C. Matrix
D. Card

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:
Card visuals display a single value and therefore do not support sorting.

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Question 6

A column chart is sorted by a measure, but the order changes when slicers are applied. Why does this happen?

A. The visual is incorrectly configured
B. Measures are recalculated per filter context
C. Sorting resets when slicers are used
D. Power BI does not support dynamic sorting

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Measures are evaluated within the current filter context, so applying slicers recalculates values and changes the sort order.

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Question 7

You attempt to use Sort by Column, but Power BI displays an error. What is the most likely cause?

A. The sorting column contains text values
B. There is not a one-to-one mapping between columns
C. The column is hidden
D. The visual is already sorted

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Sort by Column requires a one-to-one relationship. Duplicate or ambiguous values cause Power BI to block the configuration.

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Question 8

You apply a Top 10 filter to a visual but do not change the sorting. What is the likely result?

A. Items appear sorted by value automatically
B. Items appear alphabetically
C. Items appear randomly
D. Sorting is disabled

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:
Top N filtering does not automatically sort visuals. Without explicit sorting, Power BI often defaults to alphabetical order.

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Question 9

Which approach ensures weekday names always appear Monday through Sunday across all visuals?

A. Sort visuals manually
B. Sort by a measure
C. Use Sort by Column with a weekday number
D. Apply a Top N filter

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Model-level sorting using a supporting numeric column ensures consistent ordering across all visuals.

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Question 10

When sorting a matrix visual, which statement is true?

A. Multiple columns can control sorting simultaneously
B. Sorting is fixed and cannot be changed
C. Only one column controls the sort order at a time
D. Sorting is unavailable in matrix visuals

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:
Matrix visuals allow sorting by one column at a time, typically through header interactions.

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Quick Exam Recap

Remember for PL-300:

• Visual-level sorting → report-specific
• Sort by Column → model-wide
• Measures sort dynamically
• Top N ≠ automatic sorting
• One-to-one mapping is required

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