Trouble pasting into a sorted column.

[unclesvenno]

Greetings,

I have an Excel 03 spreadsheet with a large number of cells I wish to paste into a column. Prior to pasting these cells I have sorted the spreadsheet. Upon pasting the cells the new cells line up correctly with the values in the other cells in the rows. Everything works fine until I un-sort. Then the pasted cells no longer match the other values in the row!

Any ideas why this might be happening and even better how I can fix the problem?

Thanks,
Uncle Svenno

 

[AnotherHiggins]

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by "un-sort". I assume you are actually resorting on another column?

Anyway, when you paste the new column, I'll bet you are leaving an empty column between the pasted one and the original data set. If so, that's your problem.

Try one of two things:
1. Paste the new column directly beside the original data set (If existing data is in columns A:C, paste your data in column D)

OR

2. After pasting, highlight the entire data set (original plus pasted, including the empty column), then go to Data>Sort and sort on the desired column

Hope that helps!

[tt]-John[/tt]
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[KenWright]

It's only in later versions that it prompts you if the sorted selection has adjoining cells that are not included in your sort, so I'm betting your second point is what will fix the problem. To be honest you should really do that anyway, as I don't care how smart Excel thinks it is at this stuff, I prefer a belt and braces approach, and will always select the entire range to be sorted, regardless.

Ken........

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[unclesvenno]

John and Ken,

Thank you for your help, unfortunately the problem still occurs. I have found a work around, a lengthy cut and paste effort.

much appreciated,
Uncle Svenno

 

[KenWright]

Sven, can you give us more details about exactly what you are doing - I've never come across any situation where I would have to do that. Can you give us an example of your data and the ranges that you are using.

Regards
Ken..............

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[unclesvenno]

Sorry Ken,

I can't continue on this one, the data is sensitive and I'm a little under the pump so I don't really have time to re-create the spreadsheet. If I have time later I'll come back to it. Once again, I really appreciate your help.

Take care,
Uncle Svenno

 

[KenWright]

OK no problem.

Regards
Ken............

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