a sorting dilemma

[rodchar]

hi all,

i have a simple spreadsheet as follows:

excel row,name,type
1,john,email
2, , phone
3,cathy,pager
4, , cell phone

I want to sort by type.
The problem is 2 rows represent a person. The column Name is merged, which
takes up 2 rows. But the Column type can have either merged cells or
individual cells.

Anyone know of different ways to solve this?

thanks,
rodchar

 

[JBeaucaire]

There are two design errors here to overcome. A true database styl
environment uses one row per data set, you've got two. You shoul
consider redesign into a standard format to alleviate this problem an
all future ones that stem from non-standard design

Merged cells are for presentations. On the sheets you "work" with, yo
should not employ Merged Cells since it breaks so many formulas an
closes doors to simple solutions

If presentation is key in an excel sheet, use another sheet to gathe
data together and format that sheet for presentation. Leave your ra
data in a simple, manageable layout

 

[Sean Timmons]

The only fix I can give you is to unmerge the rows. Then, just enter the
person's name in each of the rows. That would fix it.

Suggestion would be to highlight the column and uncheck merge cells. Then,
in the first blank row, enter = and reference the cell just above. Copy this
formula and do Edit - Go to - Special - Blanks and paste. Copy the column
again and paste-special values to get rid of the formulas...

 

[rodchar]

Thanks everyone. This was very helpful,
rod.

The only fix I can give you is to unmerge the rows. Then, just enter the
person's name in each of the rows. That would fix it.

Suggestion would be to highlight the column and uncheck merge cells. Then,
in the first blank row, enter = and reference the cell just above. Copy this
formula and do Edit - Go to - Special - Blanks and paste. Copy the column
again and paste-special values to get rid of the formulas...