Putting An Excel Spreadsheet In Alphabetical Order

[andy-hughes]

I am currently listing a load of song titles on an Excel spreadsheet.

For some reason, it has issues with titles that start with the word 'Don't'.

When I click the A-Z facility, the list comes out more or less alphabetically, but some titles are thrown out of their alphabetical place and appear elsewhere for no reason that I can figure.

I have tried making a new list, but exactly the same thing happens.

Any ideas what's wrong, and how to fix it?

[bednobs]

do you have the ' in?

[rockyracoon]

There's not a space just before the word is there? That can play havoc and is not easily noticeable at times.

[sunny-dave]

Check that the cells/column you are sorting is defined as alphabetic (not numeric).

[rockyracoon]

I've just created a very short spreadsheet and used the word Don't, it alphabetised OK

[andy-hughes]

Thanks guys.

bednobs - Yes I do have the apostrophe in.

rocky - No spaces, I have checked carefully.

sunny-dave - How can I check if the cell is alphabetic or numeric please?

[angie55]

Try highlighting all your data and then sort on the column with the titles in.

[AuntPollyGrey]

Andy I've just done an experiment with a column of made up names.
You probably have already done this, but check the column letter is correct, then 'cell values' then A-Z
I tried with the ' and the column sorted ok. It did not sort ok when I added a space a the beginning of the cell, before I added the word -so I think that may be the problem.

[sunny-dave]

Haven't got Excel on my current device, but from memory :

Highlight the column

Click on Format Cells

Check that it says Text or General

[andy-hughes]

angie - I have done that - it makes no difference.

[rockyracoon]

On the Home Tab there will be a white box, similar in size to the font box. Mine indicates General, which is what I would usually use, if it says anything else, highlight the column and go back to that box and select either General or Text (You might not want to use text if you have numbers in any of the titles)

[AuntPollyGrey]

Crossed posts
highlight the page or columns you want to sort and a box will come up with three drop down menus. The middle menu is called 'sort on' and it needs to show 'cell values'

[bednobs]

are you dong it on a sort or a filter?

[andy-hughes]

OK, I have checked the alignment, that's OK.

I have clicked 'General' in the Format section.

It hasn't made any difference!!!

Any more ideas please?

[bednobs]

the reason i ask about sort/filter is that if you are doing it on filter, you need a column heading

[andy-hughes]

APG - // Crossed posts
highlight the page or columns you want to sort and a box will come up with three drop down menus. The middle menu is called 'sort on' and it needs to show 'cell values' //

I have highlighted the section, but no drop-downs - can you assist?

[andy-hughes]

bednobs - // the reason i ask about sort/filter is that if you are doing it on filter, you need a column heading //

I believe I am doing it on a 'sort' - I have just asked the A-Z to put the cells in alphabetical order.

[Maydup]

Click on obe of the single cells containing the title that is in the wrong place, right click format and tell us what it says.

[Maydup]

One or not obe!

[AuntPollyGrey]

Andy do you have an icon on your excel ribbon that is 'custom sort'? it looks like a square with an arrow going up and one going down? If you have then highlight the columns you want sorting, click the icon and the box will appear on the left hand side as I described.
If you haven't got the custom sort tab then make sure you are on 'home' click the icon on the left hand side that says 'sort and filter'(looks like a champagne glass with an A & Z.) choose 'custom sort' and the box I was referring to will appear, make sure you choose 'sort on cell values' and it should work.

[AuntPollyGrey]

* the tab could be on the right hand side so just look for it on your 'home' tab*