The numbers in an alphanumeric string are not sorting correctly

Hi all,

I'm attempting to sort my inventory Excel sheet of about 1,300 items. Currently, an A-Z sort is listing the order as (example) SR_BR1000, SR_BR1001, SR_BR100, SR_BR107, SR_BR1080, SR_BR110, SR_BR1102. I need it to be listed in actual numeric order--hundreds and then thousands.

All items in the list start with either SR_ or OL_ and then have 1-2 letters, followed by 3-5 #s

I've searched the web and feel like I've tried everything. Oh, and I'm using Excel 2007.

Any help is greatly appreciated!!
Lauren

You need to extract the numerical part into another column, then you can use that column as the main sort field.

Alternatively, you need to insert leading zeros into the numerical part to make them all the same number of digits long, e.g. SR_BR0107 (a better approach, but might conflict with other uses of the data).

You will need to provide a larger sample of ID codes if you want a formula to assist in these tasks - attach a sample workbook.

Hope this helps.

Pete