Reverse sorting a numbered list

[Zhezahn]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)

I have a long list of references that I want to put in reverse order. The text is formatted as a numbered list. I've tried converting the text to a table--the numbers disappear. I've tried highlighting the numbers and clicking Sort--doesn't work.

Surely there's a simple way I can turn this list "inside out." Please help!

Thanks.

 

[CyberTaz]

You can't sort using the numbers because they're applied as formatting, not
as literal content. However, you were on the right track going the Table
route ‹ you just didn't go quite far enough.

First, turn the Numbering off, then convert the list to a Table again.

Use Table> Insert> Column to the Right (or Left), then enter the numbers 1-n
(or alpha characters) into the new cells.

Sort the list in Descending order based on the new column which you can then
select & use Table> Delete> Columns to remove.

If it's a very long list you may do better copying it to Excel where you can
more readily number the records, then paste back into Word.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[JE McGimpsey]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)

I have a long list of references that I want to put in reverse order. The
text is formatted as a numbered list. I've tried converting the text to a
table--the numbers disappear. I've tried highlighting the numbers and
clicking Sort--doesn't work.

Surely there's a simple way I can turn this list "inside out." Please help!

One way:

1) Copy the numbered text.
2) Choose Edit/Paste Special, select "Unformatted Text"
3) Choose Table/Sort, Field 1, Text, Descending

 

[JE McGimpsey]

Note - in order for text sorting to work, the number format must have
the number of digits constant, so:

1
2
3
...
10
11

won't work, but

01
02
03
...
10
11

will.

 

[CyberTaz]

One way:

1) Copy the numbered text.
2) Choose Edit/Paste Special, select "Unformatted Text"
3) Choose Table/Sort, Field 1, Text, Descending

John's suggestion is even quicker & avoids getting into Excel, but it will
leave the numbers as text in reverse order. Convert the list to a table,
select & remove the column of numbers, then convert the single column table
back to text & reapply your numbering.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[CyberTaz]

The first option will work OK, you just have to select Number instead of
Text from the Type: list, right?

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[JE McGimpsey]

The first option will work OK, you just have to select Number instead of
Text from the Type: list, right?

Depends - If the numbering is

1)
2)

or

1 -

2 -

it won't.

 

[CyberTaz]

Depends - If the numbering is

1)
2)

or

1 -

2 -

it won't.

But it will if you hit Sort's Options button & specify the ) or - as the
separator character

Regards |::>)
Bob J.

 

[JE McGimpsey]

But it will if you hit Sort's Options button & specify the ) or - as the
separator character

True!