[Use your browser's BACK button to return to the PRIME FAQ Page or click here if you came directly to this page.]

We wrote this FAQ to answer the many questions we receive on this topic from our clients and other inquiring minds in the many electronic communities we frequent.

This FAQ is taken from Excel 97 Annoyances (by Woody Leonhard, Lee Hudspeth, and T.J. Lee; ISBN 1-56592-309-X; O'Reilly and Associates). For additional information on this title, visit the Office Annoyances site, http://www.primeconsulting.com/annoyances.

Click here to order Excel 97 Annoyances from Amazon.

(Annoyances, Excel 97) How Cell Contents Affect Sorting in Excel

Q: I'd like to better understand how the stuff inside a cell affects Excel when it's sorting data and searching for data. Also, I want some cells to appear indented, but inserting spaces causes problems with sorting.

A: Field content has a direct impact on sorting and searching. There are three issues: capitalization, formulas, and leading spaces. Capitalization only affects sorting if you explicitly tell the sort to be case sensitive (Data / Sort / click the Options button / select the Case Sensitive check box / click OK, then continue specifying your sort parameters).

Formulas in a list are sorted based on their return values. Leading spaces at the beginning of text in a cell are legitimate characters and affect sorting. If you need an indented appearance, use Format / Cells / Alignment / Indent.

Also be aware that if you do select Case Sensitive for a sort, Excel retains this setting for the current worksheet only. When you switch to a different worksheet in the current workbook, or a different workbook, be sure to re-specify this setting if you need case sensitivity.

The Naked PC Subscribe to our free electronic newsletter. Get the latest on all things PC, updates to PRIME Freeware page, and more. Type your email name and click Subscribe.