Sort confusion

[ramona]

Dear Experts,

I've looked through almost all the posts and could not find an answer to this.

I have a spreadsheet (Excel 2003) with 10 columns that have been sorted
everyday for the last few months. The users delete info from a particular
row between 5 & 21 (information only, NOT the row), then highlight rows 5-21,
click Data>Sort>, have been choosing the header column name from the first
'Sort by' option (header is in row 4), click OK and it sorts without having
to click any other buttons. Today, the 'Sort by' options in the drop down
list are showing the info in row 5 not the header names. Can anyone tell me
what's happened? Why would they now, after all this time, have to choose the
'No header row' button?

I'm just a little stumped. What am I missing and is there a way to default
the 'No header row' button?

Thanks for any and all your assistance!!!
ramona

 

[Dave Peterson]

I'd guess that the entire range wasn't selected before clicking on Data|Sort.

I always select my entire range first and never let excel guess--just in case it
guesses wrong and I don't notice it.

You may be able to format the header differently (bolding the font) so that
excel will guess that the range to be sorted has header rows.

If you're using xl2003 (or higher), you can apply data|filter|autofilter.
There's an option under each arrow that allows you to sort the filtered range by
that field.

But those empty rows scare me. Excel may not see them as part of your range to
be sorted.

If you're using xl2002 or below (or any version of excel, really), you can use a
technique at Debra Dalgleish's site:

http://contextures.com/xlSort02.html

 

[ramona]

Thanks, Dave.

I actually did the sort myself and couldn't get it to work the way it had
been working. The header row is already in bold font and the blank lines
have always gone to the bottom (where we want them and the reason for the
sorting). This worksheet gets disbursed onto several more worksheet and
everytime they would 'delete' a row the formulas on the other pages would get
messed up. I'm sure the 'experts' would have done it differently but I just
fixed it the only way i know how which is why they are to 'delete
information, NOT rows.' However, today the sort is working like it always
had. As much as I'd like to BE an expert at this, I think what was needed
was just a computer reboot. But, I will add to their instructions about the
'No header row' button.

Thank you again for your expertise. I will be checking out that site as
well.

I love this site!!!
ramona