BEOPS wrote:
I have a quite normal worksheet with 5-6 columns filled with text info
The cells are defined as text
I like to sort the columnes by first col A and then by Col B. I am doing by
the schoolbook (I think), meaning that I am using the data sort function,
selecting first A then B. However B is sorted in a strange way, like in
groups. Words starting with a in Col B, can show up in two groups, with other
groups of letters in between. Any idea of what's wrong?
BEO

There is nothing wrong; this is the way simultaneous sorting on multiple
columns is supposed to work. It keeps the related data on the same row.

Consider the following table showing employees and the the award(s) they
received:

A B
Name Award
Clive J
Dana K
Adam Z
Adam K

Now you want to sort, first by Name, then Award Code. The correct result is:

Adam K
Adam Z
Clive J
Dana K

Notice how "K" appears at the top, then again at the bottom--the
"problem" you described.

Now what if each column was sorted independently:

Adam J
Adam K
Clive K
Dana Z

But this is saying Adam received award "J" -- which is not true!

Hope this helps!