1) Use a helper columns and separate the parts of the data and sort by these
helper columns. In your example
=Left(A1,1)
=Right(A1,1)
2) Set up a custom list. Tools>Options>Custom Lists and either type them in
the order you want or import them from the sheet. Now go to
Data>Sort...>Options>first key sort order and select your list
--
HTH
Nick Hodge
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Southampton, England
(e-mail address removed) www.nickhodge.co.uk