what format to use for an subsentance in law 9.15.1.1 (1)(a)(ii)

[hidingfromcops]

when ever i try to enter things in to a colomn it sorts it like
9.1.1.1
9.15.1.2
9.2.4.5
9.25.4.2
9.6.1.4
as you can see I would like the bigger number after 9.XX.XX.XX to be sorted
to there value (or even the 9). Also there's these 9.15.1.1 (1)(a)(iii) type
sub sentances to worry about.
I can't be the first guy to every type information from law books into
excel, so where's the code that sorts this stuff out ?

 

[FSt1]

hi
the reason it's sorting like this is because excel is see the data as text
and sorting it like text not numbers so you will need a special sort. special
sorts are usually done with a helper columnm. in a blank column next to your
data, enter this formula
=IF(MID(A2,4,1)=".",1,2) and copy down as far as you need.
then sort by the helper column as primary sort and your sample data as
secondary sort.
the formula above is looking for the second dot and if it finds one, puts 1
in the helper column. other wise 2.

this formula worked on your sample data. not sure how complicated all you
data. post back if you have problems. it's 2am in atlanta and i will be
crashing soon. i'll check back tomorrow.

Regards