Sort other than by alphabetical ascending/ descending

I've got 3 values: High, Medium, Low. How can I sort my table by all "High"
items first, followed by "Medium" items, then by "Low" items? I can't use
alphabetical sorting coz either ascending or descending order won't work.

Hi Melissa

Use a helper column. Assume your data is in Column A starting in Row 2. In
row 2 in any unused column enter the fomula:

=IF(A2="High",1,IF(A2="Medium",2,3))

Copy this down to the end of your data. Then select all data and sort by
this new column ascending. The helper column can then be hidden.

Hope this helps
Rowan

"Melissa" wrote:

> I've got 3 values: High, Medium, Low. How can I sort my table by all "High"
> items first, followed by "Medium" items, then by "Low" items? I can't use
> alphabetical sorting coz either ascending or descending order won't work.

one pedestrian way is to have anoter column which designates high as
A,medium as B and low as C. you can use <if>function for this.
and then sort according to this new column


Melissa <Melissa@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C11A3662-264D-40C2-99D7-4F2EECABB876@microsoft.com...
> I've got 3 values: High, Medium, Low. How can I sort my table by all
"High"
> items first, followed by "Medium" items, then by "Low" items? I can't use
> alphabetical sorting coz either ascending or descending order won't work.

Hi!

Use a helper column.

Assume D1:D100 contains entries of either High, Medium or Low.

In E1 enter this formula and copy down:

=MATCH(D1,{"High","Medium","Low"},0)

Then sort on column E ascending.

Biff

"Melissa" <Melissa@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C11A3662-264D-40C2-99D7-4F2EECABB876@microsoft.com...
> I've got 3 values: High, Medium, Low. How can I sort my table by all
> "High"
> items first, followed by "Medium" items, then by "Low" items? I can't use
> alphabetical sorting coz either ascending or descending order won't work.

Personally, I'd cheat.

I edit|replace
what: High
with: 1High
replace all

then Medium with 2Medium and finally Low with 3Low

do the sort and put the values back.

But you could create a new custom list.
Tools|Options|Custom Lists tab
Type in:
High, Medium, Low
in the list entries box
Click Add

And back to try the sort.


Melissa wrote:
>
> I've got 3 values: High, Medium, Low. How can I sort my table by all "High"
> items first, followed by "Medium" items, then by "Low" items? I can't use
> alphabetical sorting coz either ascending or descending order won't work.

--

Dave Peterson

Melissa,

Make a custom list (Tools - Options - Custom Lists. Into the List entries
box, type: High, Medium, Low separated by commas as shown. Click Add, OK).
Now when you sort (Data - Sort), use the Options button, and open the First
key sort order box, and select your list.
--
Earl Kiosterud
www.smokeylake.com

"Melissa" <Melissa@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C11A3662-264D-40C2-99D7-4F2EECABB876@microsoft.com...
> I've got 3 values: High, Medium, Low. How can I sort my table by all
> "High"
> items first, followed by "Medium" items, then by "Low" items? I can't use
> alphabetical sorting coz either ascending or descending order won't work.

Thanks Earl! That's exactly what I needed without having to create new
"helper" columns.

"Earl Kiosterud" wrote:

> Melissa,
>
> Make a custom list (Tools - Options - Custom Lists. Into the List entries
> box, type: High, Medium, Low separated by commas as shown. Click Add, OK).
> Now when you sort (Data - Sort), use the Options button, and open the First
> key sort order box, and select your list.
> --
> Earl Kiosterud
> www.smokeylake.com
>
> "Melissa" <Melissa@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:C11A3662-264D-40C2-99D7-4F2EECABB876@microsoft.com...
> > I've got 3 values: High, Medium, Low. How can I sort my table by all
> > "High"
> > items first, followed by "Medium" items, then by "Low" items? I can't use
> > alphabetical sorting coz either ascending or descending order won't work.
>
>
>