Custom List

I have added 6 lists to my custom lists, in Sort Options which change on a weekly basis.
The lists are all numbers,in colums, which refer to numbers on other worksheets.
I use the custom list number, (which you have to count) in macros to sort two colums of numbers.
This works fine untill the numbers in the custom list change.
When i edit the custom list it goes to the end of the custom list que instead of its original position.
So for example the macro reads OrderCustom:=7, when in fact its now OrderCustom:=11.
I have tried the advanced filter thing but i always get the "cells without simple text were ignored" trip.
Is there a way to keep the custom lists in a set order, or is there a way to format the custom list refereal colum so it does read as simple bloody text.

Thank you Hynzie