The LEFT function returns the n left-most characters in a string.
FIND returns the position of a character in a string. So the
formula

=LEFT(A1,FIND(" ",A1)-1)

returns the characters in the cell to the left of the space in
cell A1.

The formula assumes your data starts in cell A1. If it doesn't,
change the A1 (both occurrences) to the first cell of your data
and put the formula in the cell to the right of your data. Then,
select the cells in the new column down as far as your data goes,
and choose Fill Down from the Edit menu.

Finally sort your worksheet data using the new column as the sort
key.

--
Cordially,
Chip Pearson
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Pearson Software Consulting, LLC
www.cpearson.com




"Smohrman" wrote in message
...
Hi Chip,

Sorry, I don't fully understand how to customize the syntax for
my situation.
Does the argument "LEFT" designate the colum this formula
refers to?
How do I substitute the "A1" value you used in the example with
the values
provided in my exampl?
Do I pull a copy then of the whole formula down next to the
entire column I
want it to sort?

Thanks for your help.

"Chip Pearson" wrote:

Insert a blank column next to your data, and enter a formula
like

=LEFT(A1,FIND(" ",A1)-1)

Then, sort by this new column.


--
Cordially,
Chip Pearson
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Pearson Software Consulting, LLC
www.cpearson.com



"Smohrman" wrote in
message
...
I'll probably slap myself when someone shows me how to do
this,
but I'm
stuck...

I've got a series of values in a column as follows:

10 Mb
10 Mb
1000 Mb
1000 Mb
114 Mb
128 Mb
128 Mb

Obviously 1000 mb is more than 10 mb, but it sorts as second
in
the list
because it starts with a "1". How do I tell Excel to sort
by
the entire
numerical value instead of the first number?

Thanks in advance :-D