Sorting several columns

[LTJ]

Hi,
I'm trying to sort a sheet, sorting first by column A, then B, then C
It works fine half of the sheet, but then column C isn't sorted correctly.
Data format is the same, so that's not the problem.
In column C sorting I've made my own list to sort by (st, 1, 2, 3, 4), and
it works fine the first 20 rows.
Then it only sorts correctly in column A and B
example

A B C
AA 1A st
AA 1A 1
AA 2A
AB 1A 1
AB 1A 5
AB 1A
AB 1A st

AB isn't sorted correctly according to the list I've made in the sorting box.
Any ideas as to why, all cells have the same data format, and I've tried
different ones.

LTJ

 

[Jim Thomlinson]

Take a look for blank characters padding the values in columns A or B.

'AB' is different from 'AB '. The padded value will sort to the end.