excel is only sorting some columns - please help
 

Hello,

I have a database of contact info we need to use for a mass mailing. I'm
trying to sort it by address so I can delete the entries that we don't have
addresses for. However, when I select a cell in the "Address" column and hit
the sort button, it doesn't sort the first three colums, so the data is all
messed up. I can tell this is the case because the first three columns stay
the same, while the rest of the columns are sorted according to address.

I tried using smart filters and the same thing happens. I tried selecting
all columns and the same thing happens. If I choose a cell in one of the
first three columns then it will sort all data including those columns, but
if its the 4th 5th 6th etc column then the first three are ignored and not
sorted.

If anyone knows how I can get Excel to sort ALL the data that would be a
great help. Thanks!

Dan

excel is only sorting some columns - please help
 

Don't let Excel guess.

Select all the columns in your data range before sorting on the address column.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:11:00 -0700, lifeworksla
wrote:

Hello,

I have a database of contact info we need to use for a mass mailing. I'm
trying to sort it by address so I can delete the entries that we don't have
addresses for. However, when I select a cell in the "Address" column and hit
the sort button, it doesn't sort the first three colums, so the data is all
messed up. I can tell this is the case because the first three columns stay
the same, while the rest of the columns are sorted according to address.

I tried using smart filters and the same thing happens. I tried selecting
all columns and the same thing happens. If I choose a cell in one of the
first three columns then it will sort all data including those columns, but
if its the 4th 5th 6th etc column then the first three are ignored and not
sorted.

If anyone knows how I can get Excel to sort ALL the data that would be a
great help. Thanks!

Dan

excel is only sorting some columns - please help
 

I did that, it still doesn't sort the first three columns.

"Gord Dibben" wrote:

Don't let Excel guess.

Select all the columns in your data range before sorting on the address column.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

excel is only sorting some columns - please help
 

You may need to make your file (or a shrinky-dink version of it) available
at a free file-hosting service and post the link here. That way we'll be
able to see what your describing.

Here are some options:
http://www.flypicture.com/
http://cjoint.com/index.php
http://www.savefile.com/index.php
-------------------------

Regards,

Ron (XL2003, Win XP)
Microsoft MVP (Excel)

"lifeworksla" wrote in message
...
I did that, it still doesn't sort the first three columns.

"Gord Dibben" wrote:

Don't let Excel guess.

Select all the columns in your data range before sorting on the address
column.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

excel is only sorting some columns - please help
 

Could you post a few columns and rows of your data for us to peruse.

Don't post a file unless you want to use one of the Internet sites.

Use either of the 2 free filehosts below to upload a sample of your actual
worksheet.
(Desensitize it first, if needed). Then copy & paste the generated link to
your sample file in response he

http://www.flypicture.com/
http://cjoint.com/index.php


Gord

On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:56:00 -0700, lifeworksla
wrote:

I did that, it still doesn't sort the first three columns.

"Gord Dibben" wrote:

Don't let Excel guess.

Select all the columns in your data range before sorting on the address column.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

excel is only sorting some columns - please help
 

Hi Dan,

If I understand your post correctly, I think you need to select all the
columns you need to sort, then click on "DATA", then SORT BY.........follow
the prompts. That should do the trick for you. Take care.

Ron

"lifeworksla" wrote:

Hello,

I have a database of contact info we need to use for a mass mailing. I'm
trying to sort it by address so I can delete the entries that we don't have
addresses for. However, when I select a cell in the "Address" column and hit
the sort button, it doesn't sort the first three colums, so the data is all
messed up. I can tell this is the case because the first three columns stay
the same, while the rest of the columns are sorted according to address.

I tried using smart filters and the same thing happens. I tried selecting
all columns and the same thing happens. If I choose a cell in one of the
first three columns then it will sort all data including those columns, but
if its the 4th 5th 6th etc column then the first three are ignored and not
sorted.

If anyone knows how I can get Excel to sort ALL the data that would be a
great help. Thanks!

Dan