Custom List for Sort Order - Using Sorted Values w/ Commas

So, I've got a unique scenario that I can't figure out and doesn't seem to have been solved elsewhere yet.

Excel allows users to create "Custom List" data for sorting cells - unfortunately, these lists are inherently delimited via commas and it seems to be non-negotiable.

Ordinarily, it wouldn't cause an issue except that in this case the very list that I'd like to use for Sort Order has several values that are separated by commas...

Does anybody know how-to prevent Excel from delimiting Custom List values that are listed with commas? (w/o using VBA code)

Example List:

C
C, LW
C, RW
C, LW, RW
LW
LW, RW
RW
D
G

I'd appreciate any help on this subject. Thanks!

Edit: Cross-Posted on MrExcel [mrexcel/forum/excel-questions/1107488-custom-list-sort-order-using-sorted-values-w-commas]

Welcome to the forum

Please attach a sample workbook (not a picture or pasted copy). Make sure there is just enough data to demonstrate your need. Include a BEFORE sheet and an AFTER sheet in the workbook if needed to show the process you're trying to complete or automate. Make sure your desired results are shown, mock them up manually if necessary.

Remember to desensitize the data.

Click on GO ADVANCED and then scroll down to Manage Attachments to open the upload window.

I did a find and replace in the column you wish to sort. Replaced the commas with a Pipe (|). In the custom sort order, I created the sort order as shown in Column L. Then sorted. Sort is as you desired. I then highlighted the sorted column and did a find and replace. Finding the Pipe and replacing with a comma. A bit labor intensive, but it does give the expected results.

Alan,

I appreciate the workaround, but data is already transposed several times before reaching its end point that needs to be sorted correctly.

I'm really trying to avoid another level of indirection or manual manipulation, as to reduce the effort it already takes to update and maintain this workbook.

If necessary, I'm able to perform similar steps manually per query, but that process would need to be duplicated 10 times (as 10 different sheets reference and must be sorted by these list options)...it's not really practical to maintain that much redundancy, you know?

That's the best answer I have for you. Good Luck with your issue.

I haven't been able to force custom lists to work, either. VBA could do it. Another alternative that is easy, if mildly tedious, is to use conditional formatting to color your eligible positions according to your list options, then do a sort by color. Create a basic CF rule with a different fill color for each position combo, then create a sort by color with the appropriate order. You can pasteFormating to carry the conditional formatting to the other team sheets, then replicate the sort by color rules. I did the former but not the latter in the attachment - some of the tedium must be yours. It builds character. It should only take a few minutes, though.

Take a look at Team A in the attachment, see if it'll work for you.

Let's go Hawks!!

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