How to get excel to sort some strings like they were numbers

R

rtemen

New Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2013
Messages
36
I have a sheet with a couple of columns.

[TABLE="width: 163"]
<colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody>[TR]
[TD]IndexID[/TD]
[TD]Part Number[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3807[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6680[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4440[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2074[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,5[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5021[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,6[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2298[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,7[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1572[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,8[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3379[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,9[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]8832[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,10[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2627[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,11[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6802[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,12[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4395[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7504[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4109[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]9803[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5461[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,5[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2052[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,6[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2779[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,7[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3397[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,8[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7861[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,9[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]8898[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,10[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]9587[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,11[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3924[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,12[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6043[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

When I sort by Part number, I get the following:

[TABLE="width: 163"]
<colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody>[TR]
[TD]IndexID[/TD]
[TD]Part Number[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,7[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1572[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,5[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2052[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2074[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,6[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2298[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,10[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2627[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,6[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2779[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,8[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3379[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,7[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3397[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3807[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,11[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3924[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4109[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,12[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4395[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4440[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,5[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5021[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5461[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,12[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6043[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6680[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,11[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6802[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7504[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,8[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7861[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,9[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]8832[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,9[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]8898[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,10[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]9587[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]9803

[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

But, when I try to sort by the IndexID column I get the following:

[TABLE="width: 163"]
<colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody>[TR]
[TD]IndexID[/TD]
[TD]Part Number[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3807[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,10[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2627[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,11[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6802[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,12[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4395[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6680[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4440[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2074[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,5[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5021[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,6[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2298[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,7[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]1572[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,8[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3379[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1,9[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]8832[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,1[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7504[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,10[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]9587[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,11[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3924[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,12[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]6043[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,2[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]4109[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,3[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]9803[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,4[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]5461[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,5[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2052[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,6[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]2779[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,7[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]3397[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,8[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]7861[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2,9[/TD]
[TD="align: right"]8898

[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

I need the numbers in the IndexID to be back like it started at the top of my description.
Is there a way to have it sort the columns as if they were numbers rather than strings?
Also, I need a solution that does NOT include adding columns to partially divide up the strings.
If we need a VBA solution, I am open to that as well.

Thanks,
Rich
 

Excel Facts

Add Bullets to Range
Select range. Press Ctrl+1. On Number tab, choose Custom. Type Alt+7 then space then @ sign (using 7 on numeric keypad)
Sort by date Sort by votes
UDF:

Code: 
Function PadNum(sInp As String, Optional iLen As Long = 1) As String
  ' shg 2003

  ' Expands numbers in a string to iLen characters for sorting; e.g.,
  '   PadNum("13A1U3", 2)    returns "13A01U03"
  '   PadNum("1.2.3.15", 3)  returns "001.002.003.015"

  ' Numbers are not shortened below their minimal representation:
  '   PadNum("1.123.2.3", 2) = "01.123.02.03"

  ' Returns unpadded values if iLen <= 1 or omitted
  '   PadNum("01.123.02.03") = "1.123.2.3"

  ' Digit strings > 15 characters are not modified, because
  ' formatting would cause loss of digits
  
  ' All characters other than digits 0-9 are returned as-is

  Dim sFmt          As String   ' format string
  Dim iChr          As Long     ' character index to sInp
  Dim sNum          As String   ' digit string
  Dim sChr          As String   ' sInp character
  Dim bNum          As Boolean  ' sNum contains digit string

  sFmt = String(IIf(iLen < 1, 1, IIf(iLen > 15, 15, iLen)), "0")

  For iChr = 1 To Len(sInp) + 1   ' the +1 flushes a trailing number
    sChr = Mid$(sInp, iChr, 1)
    If sChr Like "#" Then
      bNum = True
      sNum = sNum & sChr
    Else
      If bNum Then
        If Len(sNum) <= 15 Then
          ' it's coercible to a Double without loss of digits
          PadNum = PadNum & Format(CDbl(sNum), sFmt)
        Else
          ' it isn't; use as-is
          PadNum = PadNum & sNum
        End If
        
        sNum = vbNullString
        bNum = False
      End If
      PadNum = PadNum & sChr
    End If
  Next iChr
End Function

Used like this:

[Table="width:, class:grid"][tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"][/td][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
A​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
B​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
C​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
D​
[/td][/tr][tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
1​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#F3F3F3"]
IndexID​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#F3F3F3"]
Part Number​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#F3F3F3"]
Sort​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#F3F3F3"]
​
[/td][/tr]
[tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
2​
[/td][td]1,1[/td][td]
3807​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#E5E5E5"]01,01[/td][td]C2: =PadNum(A2, 2)[/td][/tr]
[tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
3​
[/td][td]1,2[/td][td]
6680​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#E5E5E5"]01,02[/td][td][/td][/tr]
[tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
4​
[/td][td]1,3[/td][td]
4440​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#E5E5E5"]01,03[/td][td][/td][/tr]
[tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
5​
[/td][td]1,4[/td][td]
2074​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#E5E5E5"]01,04[/td][td][/td][/tr]
[tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
6​
[/td][td]1,5[/td][td]
5021​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#E5E5E5"]01,05[/td][td][/td][/tr]
[tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
7​
[/td][td]1,6[/td][td]
2298​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#E5E5E5"]01,06[/td][td][/td][/tr]
[tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
8​
[/td][td]1,7[/td][td]
1572​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#E5E5E5"]01,07[/td][td][/td][/tr]
[tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
9​
[/td][td]1,8[/td][td]
3379​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#E5E5E5"]01,08[/td][td][/td][/tr]
[tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
10​
[/td][td]1,9[/td][td]
8832​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#E5E5E5"]01,09[/td][td][/td][/tr]
[tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
11​
[/td][td]1,10[/td][td]
2627​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#E5E5E5"]01,10[/td][td][/td][/tr]
[tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
12​
[/td][td]1,11[/td][td]
6802​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#E5E5E5"]01,11[/td][td][/td][/tr]
[tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
13​
[/td][td]1,12[/td][td]
4395​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#E5E5E5"]01,12[/td][td][/td][/tr]
[tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
14​
[/td][td]2,1[/td][td]
7504​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#E5E5E5"]02,01[/td][td][/td][/tr]
[tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
15​
[/td][td]2,2[/td][td]
4109​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#E5E5E5"]02,02[/td][td][/td][/tr]
[tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
16​
[/td][td]2,3[/td][td]
9803​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#E5E5E5"]02,03[/td][td][/td][/tr]
[tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
17​
[/td][td]2,4[/td][td]
5461​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#E5E5E5"]02,04[/td][td][/td][/tr]
[tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
18​
[/td][td]2,5[/td][td]
2052​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#E5E5E5"]02,05[/td][td][/td][/tr]
[tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
19​
[/td][td]2,6[/td][td]
2779​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#E5E5E5"]02,06[/td][td][/td][/tr]
[tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
20​
[/td][td]2,7[/td][td]
3397​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#E5E5E5"]02,07[/td][td][/td][/tr]
[tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
21​
[/td][td]2,8[/td][td]
7861​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#E5E5E5"]02,08[/td][td][/td][/tr]
[tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
22​
[/td][td]2,9[/td][td]
8898​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#E5E5E5"]02,09[/td][td][/td][/tr]
[tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
23​
[/td][td]2,10[/td][td]
9587​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#E5E5E5"]02,10[/td][td][/td][/tr]
[tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
24​
[/td][td]2,11[/td][td]
3924​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#E5E5E5"]02,11[/td][td][/td][/tr]
[tr][td="bgcolor:#C0C0C0"]
25​
[/td][td]2,12[/td][td]
6043​
[/td][td="bgcolor:#E5E5E5"]02,12[/td][td][/td][/tr]
[/table]
 
Upvote 0
Oops, pasted old version:

Code: 
Function PadNum(sInp As String, Optional iLen As Long = 1) As String
  ' shg 2003

  ' Expands numbers in a string to iLen characters for sorting; e.g.,
  '   PadNum("13A1U3", 2)    returns "13A01U03"
  '   PadNum("1.2.3.15", 3)  returns "001.002.003.015"

  ' Numbers are not shortened below their minimal representation:
  '   PadNum("1.123.2.3", 2) = "01.123.02.03"

  ' Returns unpadded values if iLen <= 1 or omitted
  '   PadNum("01.123.02.03") = "1.123.2.3"

  ' Digit strings > 15 characters are not modified, because
  ' formatting would cause loss of digits
  
  ' All characters other than digits 0-9 are returned as-is

  Dim sFmt          As String   ' format string
  Dim sChr          As String   ' a character in sInp
  Dim iChr          As Long     ' character index to sInp
  Dim sNum          As String   ' digit string from sInp

  sFmt = String(IIf(iLen < 1, 1, IIf(iLen > 15, 15, iLen)), "0")

  For iChr = 1 To Len(sInp) + 1   ' the +1 flushes a trailing number
    sChr = Mid$(sInp, iChr, 1)
    If sChr Like "#" Then
      sNum = sNum & sChr
    Else
      If Len(sNum) Then
        PadNum = PadNum & IIf(Len(sNum) <= 15, Format$(sNum, sFmt), sNum)
        sNum = vbNullString
      End If
      PadNum = PadNum & sChr
    End If
  Next iChr
End Function
 
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