Issue with sorting and merged cells

Hello,

I am trying to sort cells in a protected sheet, and I have some adjacent cells merged that act like a side header and footer. I searched various key words, and cannot come up with something that works. In the attached sample file, I just want to sort by last name (Column D), and have the data in the adjacent data in the highlighted cells move along with their respective person without screwing up the format of the form.

I have not posted this elsewhere. Thanks

Appears I can do what I want with right-click and a custom sort, then selecting to sort by criteria in Column D.

to sort based on names:

• select all data cells (from C5 to G10)
• on the Excel 2010 Ribbon, Home Tab, under Editing, click Sort & Filter and select Custom Sort
• A Sort window should open up. In that window, select "Name" or Column D under sort by dropdown option.
• Sort on "Values" and Sort Order "A to Z". Press Ok.

VOILA!