Sort problem

[DavidH56]

Hi,

I have a spreadsheet with 8 columns of data. Dates are in columns d,e,and
f. I would like to be able to sort ascending on column e first only if a
date exists in this column, otherwise sort on column d. So I could have
several early dates in column d where say rows 2 thru 6 when column e is
balnk. Then where column e has a date in row 7 maybe thru 10 the dates would
be later than column d. Dates in columns e for the same row will usually be
greater than that rows date in column d.

thanks for you help in advanced

 

[Otto Moehrbach]

David
You can't sort anything with all the constraints and criteria that you
have. Forget any idea about sorting on this or that column given this or
that condition. Instead create a helper column, say the 9th column. You
will end up with dates in this 9th column and you will sort by that 9th
column. Now, come up with logic that determines what date will go into that
9th column in each row of your data. Provide that logic and you will
receive all the help you want. HTH Otto

 

[DavidH56]

Thanks Otto for the response. Your idea is great. I've been thinking about
the best approach. What I want to do is create 2 duplicate sheets. On the
first duplicate sheet I'd like to copy the dates from column 4 to column 9
based on the last row of data in column 2. On the second duplicate sheet,
I'd like to copy the dates from column 5 to column 9 also based on the last
row of data in column 2. Then I want to combine data from both sheets to an
new sheet. I'd like to sort on column 9's ascending dates. Then I want to
delete the rows where there are blanks in column 9, delete rows which are
duplicates are in column b. This should give me exactly what I need.

Thanks again..
--
By persisting in your path, though you forfeit the little, you gain the
great.

David
You can't sort anything with all the constraints and criteria that you
have. Forget any idea about sorting on this or that column given this or
that condition. Instead create a helper column, say the 9th column. You
will end up with dates in this 9th column and you will sort by that 9th
column. Now, come up with logic that determines what date will go into that
9th column in each row of your data. Provide that logic and you will
receive all the help you want. HTH Otto