Next: 9.5 Extract
Up: 9 Shortcuts and Tools
Previous: 9.3 Goal Seek
NExS can sort the rows of a range into ascending or
descending order based on the values in specified
columns. Before sorting a range of cells, consider these
rules that NExS follows for sorting:
- Cells containing text (labels) or text-valued formulas
are sorted in lexical order (alphabetical order
following the same sorting conventions as a
dictionary). Cells containing numeric formulas or
constants are sorted by the numeric value of the cell.
- When sorting a mixed range of numeric and string
values, NExS assigns the following priority order to
different cell types:
- cells containing text values are less than those
with numeric values.
- numeric values are ordered from largest-magnitude
negative to largest-magnitude positive.
- empty cells are considered highest-ranking for
ascending sorts and lowest-ranking for descending
sorts. This places empty cells at the bottom of the
results.
- NExS does not modify range references within the
sorted range. This avoids the risk of cells in the
referenced range becoming non-contiguous.
- When the sort includes named cells, NExS updates the
definition of the named cell to reflect its new
location. Named ranges are not changed.
- NExS keeps track of what it moves and where - and
updates cell references throughout the spreadsheet to
reflect the changes that occurred while sorting.
However, NExS lets you choose not to update cell
references, if you wish.
To sort a range of cells:
- Select Sort... from the Tools menu. NExS displays
the Sort dialog box for you to enter the
specifications of the sort. See Figure 9.2.
- Make the following entries in the Sort dialog box:
- Range -
- Type the addresses of opposite corners
of the range to be sorted, separated by
one or two periods (e.g. A1..D5) or use
the mouse to select the range and paste it
in with the middle mouse button. If you
selected a range before choosing the Sort
operation, NExS enters this range by
default.
- Key 1 -
- Enter the address of a cell in the
column on which to base the sort.
For example, to sort by the
contents of column B starting at
row 2, enter B2. If you enter a
range, NExS uses the leftmost
column of the range.
- Key 2-5 -
- Enter the address of a cell on which to
sort if two or more values in the primary
column (specified by Key 1) are the same.
Key N is significant only if the values in the
columns specified by Key 1 through Key N-1 do
not differentiate the rows being compared in the sort.
- Click on the check button labeled Descending to sort
the column values in descending order. By default,
NExS sorts in ascending order.
- Click off the check button labeled Update References
if you do not want to update cell references once the
sort is complete. By default NExS updates all cell
references.
- Click OK or Apply to proceed. NExS sorts the cells
and displays the results. Apply leaves the Sort
dialog displayed on the screen.
Use the Undo Sort operation from the Edit menu to cancel the most
recent sort operation. All cells are returned to their unsorted
locations.
Figure 9.2: Sort Dialog Box
Next: 9.5 Extract
Up: 9 Shortcuts and Tools
Previous: 9.3 Goal Seek
NExS User's Guide, Version 1.4.5
Grey Trout Software
11 April 1999