Merged left hand column prevents sorting data

**ND001** · 10-01-2007, 03:08 PM

Hi there,
I receive sales figures that look something similar to the following

The problem is that I cannot sort the data because the the rows in the left hand column for each area are merged. Obviously I could unmerge and fill down each area name but I've got rows and rows of results so that's not an ideal solution. Any suggestions for a quick work around?

Thanks,

Natalie

(Data attached - pasting isn't working very wel!)

**shg** · 10-01-2007, 03:18 PM

Not merging cells in a database is pretty fundamental. Suggest you unmerge them, then do this to duplicate the data entries in the first column:

Select the used area in the first column
Edit > Goto > Special > Blanks
In the Formula Bar, type =, do up arrow, and then Cntl+Enter

**ND001** · 10-01-2007, 03:56 PM

shg - Thanks for the speedy reply.

Things didn't quite work out. A few questions:

Select the used area in the first column

- what do you mean by used? Do you mean each cell that has text in it? I have over 100 of them!

Edit > Goto > Special > Blanks

- Got that bit!

In the Formula Bar, type =, do up arrow, and then Cntl+Enter

After I did this, I had equal signs in all the blank boxes which means I still cannot sort the data properly as it all gets mixed up.

Is there any way for the name of each group (which is in the top cell of each group) to duplicate downwards?

**BigBas** · 10-01-2007, 04:03 PM

To follow up:

1. Unmerge the cells in column A.
2. Highlight Column A from the first cell used down to the last row used (row 100?)
3. Go to EDIT>GO TO>SPECIAL>BLANKS
4. Now, press the = sign, press the up arrow, then press enter. What this does is enter a formula in EACH blank cell. The formula reads =Cell above. For example, in cell A3, the formula would read =A2. In cell A100, it would read A99.

**ND001** · 10-01-2007, 04:26 PM

BB - thanks but that wasn't where I was stuck

For whatever reason shg hitting the up arrow didn't work. I had to click on the name of the top text box and then it filtered down.

Cannot believe I didn't know something that simple and it's going to save me sooooo much time.

Thank you!!