Sorting data derived from formula

[newbie]

I need to sort a total column that was created from adding up other cells.
Where I run into a problem is that I need the whole row to go with it when it
does sort. Each row has a name, three column boxes of data, then a total
that was created by using a sum function. I want to sort by the total but
keep everything in tact. I know it seems quite elementary, but I can't seem
to find a way to make this work. Any help? Thanks.

 

[Spiky]

I need to sort a total column that was created from adding up other cells.
Where I run into a problem is that I need the whole row to go with it when it
does sort. Each row has a name, three column boxes of data, then a total
that was created by using a sum function. I want to sort by the total but
keep everything in tact. I know it seems quite elementary, but I can't seem
to find a way to make this work. Any help? Thanks.

Select the whole area that you need to sort, including row and column
titles, then do the Sort command.

 

[newbie]

Thanks for your help, but I have tried that. When I select all and then use
the sort command, only a two cells out of 10 move and the ones that do move
don't stay with the rest of their row, if that makes sense. Any other ideas?

 

[Spiky]

Thanks for your help, but I have tried that. When I select all and then use
the sort command, only a two cells out of 10 move and the ones that do move
don't stay with the rest of their row, if that makes sense. Any other ideas?

Did you manually select the area or just hit Select All? It will only
sort the highlighted area, so you have to force it to do what you want
by choosing that area yourself.

 

[newbie]

yes, tried highlighting myself and then sorting it, but still... maybe one or
two move. I can't seem to think how I could be doing it wrong? Is it just
not possible to move a whole row by one criteria?

 

[Spiky]

yes, tried highlighting myself and then sorting it, but still... maybe one or
two move. I can't seem to think how I could be doing it wrong? Is it just
not possible to move a whole row by one criteria?

It's hard to know without seeing it. It should work, I do this all the
time. And on data that is not even structured like a block of data at
all. I do it to get rid of blank rows in long printouts I've copied
into Excel. It always maintains the rows properly for me. Perhaps you
could check for hidden rows, or filtered rows if you are in
Autofilter. Or maybe some of your cells are actually formulas, and are
recalculating in strange ways after the sort. I can't think of any
other logical reason this would fail.

One thing that often works for odd problems is to copy the data into a
brand new file. Then try the command again.

 

[newbie]

Thanks for the help. I'll try those things and hope that it works!