sorting problems
 

HOT WATER HEATER:50766-1
HOT WATER HEATER:50766-10
HOT WATER HEATER:50766-2
HOT WATER HEATER:50766-3
HOT WATER HEATER:50766-4

This is the data that I am trying to sort by. The item with a -10 should be
at the end but it always comes up this way.

Please help. All of the postings that I looked at have not helped.

Thanks,

sorting problems
 

On Feb 18, 11:25*pm, tab wrote:
HOT WATER HEATER:50766-1
HOT WATER HEATER:50766-10
HOT WATER HEATER:50766-2
HOT WATER HEATER:50766-3
HOT WATER HEATER:50766-4

This is the data that I am trying to sort by. *The item with a -10 should be
at the end but it always comes up this way.

Please help. *All of the postings that I looked at have not helped.

Thanks,

If you try to add 0 at the beginning of single denomination should be
no problem.like as, istead of 1 need to put 01.
cheers
Baha

sorting problems
 

You might try creating two helper columns that split your entries into two
parts. Let's say your data are in column A, with a header in the first row.

In column B, put in a formula like "=LEFT($A2,SEARCH("-",$A2:$A2,1)-1)".
This will extract all text before the "-" character. Fill down for all of
your entries.

In column C, use the formula "=RIGHT($A2,LEN($A2)-SEARCH("-",$A2:$A2,1))".
This one extracts everything after the "-". Fill down for all of your
entries.

Now select all the data in columns A, B and C. In the sort dialog box
("Data/Sort...") sort the data first by column B and then by column C, both
Ascending. You might get a warning that says that the data in column C are
"numbers formatted as text". Make sure you sort them as numbers!

This should result in the sort order you desire.

HTH,

Eric

"tab" wrote:

HOT WATER HEATER:50766-1
HOT WATER HEATER:50766-10
HOT WATER HEATER:50766-2
HOT WATER HEATER:50766-3
HOT WATER HEATER:50766-4

This is the data that I am trying to sort by. The item with a -10 should be
at the end but it always comes up this way.

Please help. All of the postings that I looked at have not helped.

Thanks,