Very Basic SORT question

[Jarbacky]

Hello,

I'm using Excel 2002 but I think this question would apply to all
versions. I am working with 30k names and addresses. I need to sort by
different columns at different times. What can I do to prevent myself
from accidentally only sorting the one column and not all the
columns?

For example, if I want to sort by first name I want to make sure all
the the row info remains intact. I don't want to accidently Change
John Doe to Carl Doe because the only column sorted was the first
name.

Is there one step or setting I can implement or am I stuck being very
careful that I select all columns each and every time.

Thank you in advance for any help.

J

 

[Pete_UK]

Do not use the Sort Ascending or Sort Descending icons - these cause
nothing but trouble.

You should highlight your data, then click on Data | Sort and then
specify which column(s) you want to sort by. You can also indicate the
order, and whether you have headers at the top of your data.

So, select the data first, then do the sort.

Hope this helps.

Pete

 

[Spiky]

Do not use the Sort Ascending or Sort Descending icons - these cause

nothing but trouble.

Why do they cause trouble? They do the same thing, as long as only a
one-level Sort is needed. (actually, you can do multi-level if you are
careful) As you both hinted, user error is the real problem either
way.

Jarbacky,
Select your database (probably easiest to select entire columns if
there is nothing below the database), then give it a Name. Then you
can pick it from the little Name menu on the left of the Formula Bar.
Easy way to select it each time before you have to sort.

 

[Dave Peterson]

Excel doesn't always correctly guess at the range to be sorted--or if the range
has headers.