Mike,

I think the simplest is to Tools | Options | View tab, uncheck Zero
Values. Make your formula return 0. The reason for this behavior is
that Text sorts "larger" than numbers in alphanumeric sorts with
different data types.

This option setting will affect the entire workbook. If you only want
this for some cells, you can use Format | Conditional Formatting.

HTH
Kostis Vezerides