sorting big file

[lezawang]

Hi
I have big sheet but I do not think that is the issue, anyway I want to sort a column which has numbers (1 to 4). I clicked anywhere on that column and then sort from A-Z. the first 43 rows were sorted fine but other rows were not sorted, I would have 1,3,4,1,1,4,3,3 etc
what could cause this issue? It is a big sheet. I tried to highlight all sheet and insert "table" but table option is grayed out. when I click on Inset-Table (without highlighting the whole sheet), excel will insert the dotted line for the table to cover only part of the table!! Also I click on break lines and the sheet divided into 6 pages. I am not sure what cause this issue. I also highlighted the whole sheet and click Clear format but it did not help. Any hint would be very much appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[thisoldman]

The data would not sort with the data filter button for me. I couldn't even scroll to the end of the data using Ctrl+DownArrow.

You have four structured tables in the middle of your larger data block. They are the reason your sorting breaks. You will have to convert these structured tables back to normal ranges.

I found the structured tables in these cell ranges:
A46:F47
A62:I62
A68:F68
A80:G80

If you are not familiar with structured tables:
You can use the "Go To" dialog box to find the tables. Press F5 or Ctrl+G and the dialog box will appear.

Select one of the table names in the upper pane of the dialog box and click OK or press Enter. The table cells will be selected.

A new menu group, "Table Tools", with a single tab labeled "Design" will appear in the menu ribbon. Click on the "Design" tab. Click on "Convert to Range" (in the Tools group). Click "Yes" in the pop-up message box.

Repeat for the other three groups.

 

[lezawang]

I click on the first cell in column "Learning center" cell D4, then Shift+Ctrl+down arrow to highlight the whole column. The whole column would not highlight, only part of it, then I went to the last highlighted cell and again did shift+Ctrl+down arrow, I got more cell highlight now but not all, I keep doing Shift+Ctrl+down arrow, until the whole column get highlighted. But when I went to Data-->Sort --> A-Z the option is grayed out. Actually Filter and Sort options are grayed out. What could that be? Thank you

 

[thisoldman]

There are blank cells in column D. Ctrl+DownArrow and Shift+Ctrl+DownArrow stop at the end or edge of a block of populated cells.
Shift+Ctrl+DownArrow is acting exactly as I would expect it to act.

Select only B2. Press Shift+Ctrl+DownArrow. B2:B478 are selected. Without clearing the selection, press Shift+RightArrow twice: B2:D478 are selected. Again do not clear the selection and press Ctrl+Period (the "." or point key). B2:D478 are still selected but the active cell is now D2. Press Shift+RightArrow twice and the selection is now D2:D478.

Ctrl+Period is a keyboard shortcut that moves the active cell around the four corners of a selected range. Few people seem to be aware of it or use it.

I can't tell you what is happening with the filter and sort options. I can't repeat the problem here.