Sorting data in groups

[kathyfroy]

Hi

I'm trying to sort data in excel (see example below) that has gaps. I have tried grouping by individual risks and then sorting, but it still doesn't seem to keep the information together. How can I sort this info (sorry, I'm not an excel superuser so please explain in basic terms) so that if I sort by main contact, for example, it will keep all the info in the individual groups together?

Thanks.

[TABLE="width: 500"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]Risk[/TD]
[TD]Main Contact[/TD]
[TD]Secondary Contact[/TD]
[TD]Status[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Risk A[/TD]
[TD]Person A[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Active[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Risk B[/TD]
[TD]Person B[/TD]
[TD]Person A[/TD]
[TD]Inactive[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Person D[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Risk C[/TD]
[TD]Person E[/TD]
[TD]Person B[/TD]
[TD]Active[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Person G[/TD]
[TD]Person C[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Person E[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Risk D[/TD]
[TD]Person D[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Active[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Person F[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Person A[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

 

[sgroath]

To make it easier to sort, select one of your header cells (e.g., Risk), go to the Data tab, and select Filter. Assuming your columns are side by side, all of your column headers will get a down triangle icon.

You main issue is that you don't have data in all of the Risk cells (I am guessing the data you showed represents an assumed Risk inclusion due to its formatting) as well as the main contact cells. You will need to fill in those blank cells with the right Risk and main contact data and then you should be able to sort effectively. Without it, for example, your row with Person D in the secondary contact will sort but you will have no idea of the assumed Risk B, Person B association.

If I am assuming too much, reply with some additional context.