I have tried using TRIM, but all that happens is that I can see the formula
in the cell (ie I can see =TRIM(D2)) and it doesn't actually work. Do I need
to turn this function on somehow to see the result?

Thanks for your help .. Roger
"Roger Govier" wrote in message
...
Hi Roger

it may be that you have some extraneous spaces from your formulae.
Assuming your names are in column A, try entering in another column
= TRIM(A1)
and copy down.
Then copy this helper column and Paste SpecialValues back over the
original column A
Then Sort again.
--
Regards

Roger Govier


"Roger" wrote in message
...
I have a spreadsheet with columns of data. The data is extracted from a
string using either the MID or LEFT functions, and then I use the TEXT
function to make sure it is formatted as text.One column is surnames which
I need to sort alphabetically A .. Z. Instead of sorting all of the list
alphabetically it sorts most of it, then after Z it has another 20 or so
names starting again from A through to Z.

Am I doing something wrong ... why won't it sort the whole column of
names!

... Roger