Excel custom aphlabetical sort not working properly

[nicole82]

I'm trying to sort a big list of names first by last name,  then by first name.  I'm finding that some of the sort is not accurate. I colored the cells only for easier viewing of the inaccurate sort. I have tried over and over, and different ways.  I need some help! 

 

[#2]

There may be leading or trailing spaces in the First Name and/or Last Name columns.

[#3]

• @Patrick2788 we checked for spaces & made sure nothing was "hidden"

[#4]

@nicole82 

Check again with LEN().

[#5]

Hello

If last name is in column A 

In an empty cell put this formula

=A173  = A174   (compare the yellow cells to the white)

The result must be true

@nicole82 

[#6]

It comes back as false.

[#7]

I've never used LEN() Can you explain more?

[#8]

@nicole82 

How to use the LEN() function. 

[#9]

So it's not the same text !

I think there a space after the text

Check the 2 cells

@nicole82 

[#10 · Accepted solution]

@nicole82 

The attached workbook is a re-creation of the sort issue you have in your workbook. There's also a LEN example.

[#11]

Okay, thanks that worked great!

[#12]

You're welcome! Glad it's working.