On Fri, 10 Feb 2006 11:57:20 -0800, "jstephenson"
wrote:

i am trying to sort a non sequential list of numbers mixed with numbers
marked with an asterisk in front, such as on a bank statement of checks:

1224
1222
*1223
1221
1227
*1225
1228

and so on. When I sort, all of the numbers with an asterisk are grouped
together. I formatted them as text with the same result. Is there anything
i can do?

Simplest method: use a helper column for sorting.

If your data is in A1:An, then

B1: =IF(ISERR(-A1),--MID(A1,2,10),--A1)
copy/drag down to Bn.

Then select both columns (and any others of importance)
Data/Sort
Ascending
Col B

If you have a header row, sort on the helper column's header.


--ron