How to sort file rows with vi?

Question

I have to edit multiple files with multiple rows, and also everything is in three columns, like this:

#file

save    get    go
go      save   get
rest    place  reset

Columns are separated with tab. Is there any possible way to sort rows based on second or third column using vi?

Answer 1

sort by the 2nd col:

:sor /\t/ 

sort by the 3rd col:

:sor /\t[^\t]*\t/   

Answer 2

Second column:

:sort /\%9c/

Third column:

:sort /\%16c/

\%16c means "column 16".