Try using hidden columns for formulas and use these to sort the data

If the measurement is in A3 in column B
=VALUE(LEFT(A3,FIND("'",A3)-1)) to find the feet
in column C type the formula
VALUE(RIGHT(A3,LEN(A3)-FIND("'",A3,1))) to find the inches

To sum feet in B2 type =SUM(B3:B9)+(INT(SUM(C3:C9)/12))
To sum Inches in C2 type =MOD(SUM(C3:C10),12)

To show the final total (as A string) in A2 type
=B2&" "&C2&"'"

You can sort on Columns B the C before hiding the columns, save your
worksheet and excel will remember the sort for next time.

Peter



"rbashley" wrote:

How can I insert measurements in feet and inches and still be able to use
"sum" and "sort" options? I can insert them so that I know what they mean,
but "sort" thinks that 11" is smaller than 4".