I have a solution for this using the CODE function but it is a multistep
process and it takes up a number of columns of formulas to get your sort.
It wont fit very well in this reply window, but I could email you the
spreadsheet if you post an email address.

The CODE function converts letters to a number(I believe its ASCII codes).
In any case once you convert the letters to numbers you can sort them easier
- but its still not simple - at least my method was not. I'm happy to send
my solution.

Dave

"-random-" wrote:

I doubt this can be done, but it sure would be handy.

Column is grouped by conceptual blocks, (note, there is not second column of
unique data) eg:

Cheese
Cheddar
Blue
Swiss
Bread
Italian
Bran
French

I want to sort by alpha so that I get (evenutally):

Bread
Bran
French ...
Cheese
Blue
Cheddar ...

Aside from setting up the table in two columns (Bread/Cheese; Types) and
making sure Bread/Cheese is in each column-cell that correspondes to the
types and THEN sorting - is there another way to do this? Grouping?
Protection?

thx