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

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

Are you sure that you don't have leading characters (e.g., space,
non-breaking space, etc)? Check with LEN().


In article ,
"Roger" wrote:

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

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

You need to format your cell as something other than Text before you
enter your formula.

In article ,
"Roger" wrote:

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?

Hi Roger

If the formula is showing in the cell, not the result, then it sounds as
though the cell was formatted as Text.
Format the cell as General, then press F2 to edit, followed by Enter.
This should turn it to a formula.

Take note of JE's post about the non-breaking space character, as Trim
will not remove this.
If you find you have a problem after using trim, try
=SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(D2,CHAR(160),"")," ","")
Again copy down, then Paste SpecialValues back over the source column.
--
Regards

Roger Govier


"Roger" wrote in message
...
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

This is all very weird !!! I have tried to reformat as you suggest, but it
makes no difference. Even if I type in =TRIM(D2) into a new cell, it still
only shows me the formula. It there some global setting for the worksheet
which forces the view to formulae ?? that I need to reset or uncheck ?

Roger

"Roger Govier" wrote in message
...
Hi Roger

If the formula is showing in the cell, not the result, then it sounds as
though the cell was formatted as Text.
Format the cell as General, then press F2 to edit, followed by Enter. This
should turn it to a formula.

Take note of JE's post about the non-breaking space character, as Trim
will not remove this.
If you find you have a problem after using trim, try
=SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(D2,CHAR(160),"")," ","")
Again copy down, then Paste SpecialValues back over the source column.
--
Regards

Roger Govier


"Roger" wrote in message
...
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

Try Roger Govier's suggestion one more time. I bet you did things out of order.

Or maybe you're looking at formulas:
tools|options|view tab|make sure Formulas is not checked.

Roger wrote:

This is all very weird !!! I have tried to reformat as you suggest, but it
makes no difference. Even if I type in =TRIM(D2) into a new cell, it still
only shows me the formula. It there some global setting for the worksheet
which forces the view to formulae ?? that I need to reset or uncheck ?

Roger

"Roger Govier" wrote in message
...
Hi Roger

If the formula is showing in the cell, not the result, then it sounds as
though the cell was formatted as Text.
Format the cell as General, then press F2 to edit, followed by Enter. This
should turn it to a formula.

Take note of JE's post about the non-breaking space character, as Trim
will not remove this.
If you find you have a problem after using trim, try
=SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(D2,CHAR(160),"")," ","")
Again copy down, then Paste SpecialValues back over the source column.
--
Regards

Roger Govier


"Roger" wrote in message
...
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









--

Dave Peterson

Hi Roger

Try Ctrl+` (that's hold down the control key and press the key to the
left of 1 on the top row of the keyboard)

--
Regards

Roger Govier


"Roger" wrote in message
...
This is all very weird !!! I have tried to reformat as you suggest,
but it makes no difference. Even if I type in =TRIM(D2) into a new
cell, it still only shows me the formula. It there some global setting
for the worksheet which forces the view to formulae ?? that I need to
reset or uncheck ?

Roger

"Roger Govier" wrote in message
...
Hi Roger

If the formula is showing in the cell, not the result, then it sounds
as though the cell was formatted as Text.
Format the cell as General, then press F2 to edit, followed by Enter.
This should turn it to a formula.

Take note of JE's post about the non-breaking space character, as
Trim will not remove this.
If you find you have a problem after using trim, try
=SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(D2,CHAR(160),"")," ","")
Again copy down, then Paste SpecialValues back over the source
column.
--
Regards

Roger Govier


"Roger" wrote in message
...
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

Roger

Maybe you are in "Formula View"

Hit CTRL + `(backquote above Tab key)


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

On Tue, 29 May 2007 17:50:52 +0200, "Roger" wrote:

This is all very weird !!! I have tried to reformat as you suggest, but it
makes no difference. Even if I type in =TRIM(D2) into a new cell, it still
only shows me the formula. It there some global setting for the worksheet
which forces the view to formulae ?? that I need to reset or uncheck ?

Roger

"Roger Govier" wrote in message
...
Hi Roger

If the formula is showing in the cell, not the result, then it sounds as
though the cell was formatted as Text.
Format the cell as General, then press F2 to edit, followed by Enter. This
should turn it to a formula.

Take note of JE's post about the non-breaking space character, as Trim
will not remove this.
If you find you have a problem after using trim, try
=SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(D2,CHAR(160),"")," ","")
Again copy down, then Paste SpecialValues back over the source column.
--
Regards

Roger Govier


"Roger" wrote in message
...
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

Yes, I had Formulas checked somehow. Oh for the old days when we had a basic
excel spreadsheet !... however, thanks for all of your help .. Roger

"Dave Peterson" wrote in message
...
Try Roger Govier's suggestion one more time. I bet you did things out of
order.

Or maybe you're looking at formulas:
tools|options|view tab|make sure Formulas is not checked.

Roger wrote:

This is all very weird !!! I have tried to reformat as you suggest, but
it
makes no difference. Even if I type in =TRIM(D2) into a new cell, it
still
only shows me the formula. It there some global setting for the worksheet
which forces the view to formulae ?? that I need to reset or uncheck ?

Roger

"Roger Govier" wrote in message
...
Hi Roger

If the formula is showing in the cell, not the result, then it sounds
as
though the cell was formatted as Text.
Format the cell as General, then press F2 to edit, followed by Enter.
This
should turn it to a formula.

Take note of JE's post about the non-breaking space character, as Trim
will not remove this.
If you find you have a problem after using trim, try
=SUBSTITUTE(SUBSTITUTE(D2,CHAR(160),"")," ","")
Again copy down, then Paste SpecialValues back over the source column.
--
Regards

Roger Govier


"Roger" wrote in message
...
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









--

Dave Peterson