Limiting Rows in Data Sorting/Filtering

Using Excel 2011 for Mac.

Is there a way to limit the number of rows in data filtering/sorting? For example, if there are 100 rows in a range and 35 require sorting (typically the first 35 rows), can those 35 rows somehow be declared in the sort - while the non-35 rows remain intact?

Easiest way would be to insert a blank row before the rows that you don't want to be sorted. This should prevent them from being rearranged when you do your filter.