Forum Discussion
Text not sorting correctly
- Nov 20, 2018
I played with the text in your post. Without Excel file not definitely sure, but most probably you have Unicode symbol Zero Width Space https://www.fileformat.info/info/unicode/char/200b/index.htm at the front of some of your strings.
How to fix without formulas
Your source text sorted ascending looks like
In any empty cell, let say in D2, make reference on any cell with text in question, here is =A2. Next cell shows that string has 2 symbol length, even if we see only one. In F2 enter the formula =LEFT(D2,1) which extracts that Unicode symbol. Enter and Ctrl+C (copy) the cell.
After that press Ctrl+F to open Find window, click on Find what bar and paste the symbol by Ctrl+V. After that click Replace tab
and in it Replace All
(Please note, if you start with Ctrl+H, Find & Replace window, above doesn't work).
That removes Zero Width symbol in your sheet and in particular in D2 you see "normal text" with length as expected
Re-sort your table - it shall be in right order now.
Again, that's probable scenario, but I'm not sure without the Excel file.
Good luck
I have strange sorting problem, new file, just typing 2 letters Y(problematic letter) and something between letters J to W. And trying to sort A to Z. Always letter Y are first than other letter.
- Mantas_GasiunasMar 05, 2024Copper ContributorNM, found solution, seems like windows system region format was settled incorrectly.
- Mantas_GasiunasMar 05, 2024Copper ContributorYes, same with checked and unchecked.