Hi,

Even after custom formatting as ###-###-###, the data are still numeric, and
therefore they will retain their values when sorted. So, after custom
formatting the numbers, select the area containing those cells, Copy, and go
to 'Paste Specical' (in Edit), select 'Values' under the section 'Paste' ,
and click 'OK'
Now you can copy and paste to this column, other values which are already
formatted (which I presume are strings and not numeric data).
Now you should be able to sort these data the way you want.

Regards,
B. R. Ramachandran
"Hunter" wrote:

My number in the cell is 1111111111 I add custom format to 111-111-1111.
I need to copy and paste to this same column numbers that are already
formatted as 111-111-1111. When I sort the custom formated numbers fall
first because its sorting by the data range 1111111111. How can I sort both
kinds of data together.