Gina

I think this process should work for you.

1. Insert two new columns just to the left of your data (I'll assume
it is column A and B).

2. Fill in column A with the numbers 1 through 16,000 (use the ROW
function and convert to values or some other fill functionality)

3. Put =B1 in cell A1 and copy it down your 16,000 rows.

4. Sort by column D. I believe D should be blank except for the rows
that have the item numbers.

5. Delete the formulas in column B for all the rows that have data
NOT item numbers in colum C.

6. Sort the data by column A to get back to the original order.
Column B should have the item number on the item number rows, and be
blank for the rest.

7. Highlight column B

8. Hit F5 (GoTo); then select Special, then select Blanks. You
should now have all the blanks activated.

9.In cell B2 (or the first data row for the first item put in the
formula =B1; then hit Control Enter to put the formula in all the
blank cells at once.

10. Convert column B to values

11. You may want to sort again by column D to get all the item numbers
together and delete them now that you have the data the way you wanted
it.

Good luck

Ken
Norfolk, Va



On Aug 6, 12:51*pm, GinaH wrote:
I would consider my self an intermediate user of excel, and I am just not
sure what the fastest way of formatting my text file would be. *

I imported a text file into excel and now it needs some manipulation. *I
know how to do most, but I am stuck on how to get my item number linked to
the appropriate data. *See below.

Item: 12345 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
1015839 * *37315 * * * * * * * * 12.83 * * * * * * *12.33 * * * * * * * *.50

1015668 * *37315 * * * * * * * * 64.17 * * * * * * *61.67 * * * * * * * 2.50

1015661 * *37315 * * * * * * * * 38.50 * * * * * * *37.00 * * * * * * * 1.50

Item: 67890 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
1000495 * 13732 * * * * * * * * 22.36 * * * * * * *20.86 * * * * * * * 1.50 *

1000639 * 37233 * * * * * * * * 22.36 * * * * * * *20.86 * * * * * * * 1.50 *

1000339 * 37239 * * * * * * * * 22.27- * * * * * * 20.77- * * * * * * *1.50-

1000686 * 37246 * * * * * * * * 22.36 * * * * * * *20.86 * * * * * * * 1.50 *

I need to link the item number to each line in its group so then I can sort
by item and then I can go on from there and use the data and create a pivot
table to get my answers. *I just would like to know if there is something
quicker than cutting a pasting the item number next to each line that doesn't
have the item number? *I have 177 items and 16,000 rows of data, and 5 more
reports like this to run. *I am waiting on our IT to redo the reports itself
so it will include the item number in each line, but who knows when that will
happen. *Please help if you can or give me some advice. *Thanks. *Sorry if I
am not using the correct terminology.