sorting numerical data

[Guest]

I need to sort a column say "c" which contains numerical data. When i press
"a to z sort" button the numerical data is sorted as alphabetical data i.e
it ignores positive and negative signs and after 10, the value 100 comes
and 20 then -20 then 200 like this. How to sort this data in ascending or
descending order?

 

[George Nicholson]

It may look like numerical data to you, but Access is seeing it as text
data.

Options include:
- If in a table: Changing the data type of the field. If there are
relationships involved this might not be possible or advisable.
- Create a query that mimics your current data source but coerce that
field to numeric with the appropriate function: Cdbl(), Clng(), etc. Then
sort on the coerced numbers.

HTH,

 

[George Nicholson]

Oops. Excel newsgroup, Access answer. Try again:

It may look like numerical data to you, but Excel is seeing it as text
data.

One approach:
- Find an empty cell. Place the number 1 in it. Format the cell the way
you want all your numbers to appear.
- Copy that formatted cell.
- Select the range containing the "text" you want to convert to numbers.
- Edit>PasteSpecial: select BOTH [Values & Number Formats] and
Multiply. Click OK

Try your sort again and your results should be as expected.
HTH,