On Sun, 22 Dec 2013 19:24:34 +0000, walkingfern wrote:


Hi,
I'm trying to sort a spreadsheet of fern information alphabetically,
first by column A (genus) and then by column B (species). Columns C-F
contain additional information.

I've selected data sorting in the order of Column A then Column B.

However, it consistently puts some items out of order for column B,
making it difficult for me to check the species information. I've double
checked for extra spaces, there are no extra characters. I don't
understand what's happening.

Example:
Sorted alphabetically, Dryopteris marginalis will be listed before
Dryopteris goldiana.

Or it will list
Dryopteris marginalis
Dryopteris marginalis
Dryopteris intermedia
Dryopteris marginalis
Dryopteris marginalis.

Can anyone help? Thank you!

I don't think we'll be able to help without a copy of the dysfunctional workbook. I see nothing apparent from what you've posted to explain this behavior. Hidden (non-printing) characters are the most likely explanation. Especially if you are copying this information from the Web, the possibility of <nbsp characters can mess up your sorting.