need help sorting by partial text in a cell - I think! :)

[SmithAngels]

How do I sort within a cell? For instance………… I have one-column table (all values in each row below are in *one* single cell).
MLDG,TOP,SIDE,PNE,384 OLD 839
EAR,POP,BLNK,106,27
EAR,POP,BLNK,106,27
EAR,POP,BLNK,106,27
EAR,POP,BLNK,106,27
EAR,POP,BLNK,106,27
CAP,FLAT,POP,BLNK,121
MLDG,TOP,SIDE,POP,120
EAR,OAK,BLNK,256,20.5
EAR,OAK,BLNK,256,20.5
EAR,OAK,BLNK,256,20.5
CAP,FLAT,PNE,BLNK,351 6/6-22
CAP,FLAT,PNE,BLNK,351 6/6-22

I want to sort by species of *wood* which in this case is Oak, Pine, Poplar (OAK,PNE,POP)….etc. If you look at the top line, it starts with MLDG,TOP,SIDE,PNE,384……… How do I pick out the PNE for pine and move it to the front of the cell so I can sort by wood species (in this case PNE)? Same with the other cells below, POP or OAK….

I’m trying to sort on species so I know which is causing us the most headaches regarding defects we are seeing in my shop. Any help would be appreciated!
Barbie

[mehmetcik]

Hi

this is easy.

Two routes are open to you

Formulas or macros. I personally would use a macro.

[mehmetcik]

are your numbers relevant?

[mehmetcik]

How many rows of data do you have and is it likely to change?

[mehmetcik]

Ok I have scoped this out and have a solution for you.


BRB

[SmithAngels]

Numbers are relevant, and number of rows will vary. I have not done much with macros, but am very willing.

Forgive me for asking... is there money involved in getting an answer? (If so, my apologies for not being more aware - I just searched for a forum about "Excel Help"). I am wondering why a few of you have answers for me, but they are not showing up.... that is my best guess

Regards,
Barbie

[SmithAngels]

Oh, duh, I am so dense. All of the answers were from one person. My apologies - I hope I don't step on toes!!!!
Barbie

[mehmetcik]

LOL

This is for free

i will have a solution for you in twenty minutes.

BRB

[mehmetcik]

I had a second look at your data.

There is only one wood type per line is that so?

Please list all the wood types that you use at the moment

[mehmetcik]

This does the text editing that you wanted.

i will do the sorting next.

[mehmetcik]

Ok

I am happy with this.

I have built in three macros for you.

The first is operated by the button on the Database sheet and loops through each type of wood in column A of the worksheet woods.
it looks for the code and puts that at the start of the text.

It then sorts the Database Alphabetically.

The second macro runs whenever you deactivate the woods sheet and creates a drop box in cell A1 of the database listing all the wood types.

The third macro runs whenever you change the drop box and moves your selected wood type to the top of the database.

Enjoy.

[SmithAngels]

Oh, thank you SO much! Especially after I insulted you (I didn't mean to!).

I have a migraine, so am off to early bed, but I will play with this first thing in the morning - I am excited!
Barbie

[SmithAngels]

Here are the wood species, there are nine:

​

​​
Poplar
​ POP​

Oak
​ OAK​

Maple
​ MAP​

Walnut
​ WAL​

Cherry
​ CHR​

Mahogany
​ MHG​

Ash
​ ASH​

Pine
​ PNE
​
Pecan
​ PEC​

[mehmetcik]

I have updated the list of different woods on the sheet "Woods".

Its easy to do. Just add new woods to the list. The Macro will find them.

[oeldere]

Your post does not comply with Rule 8 of our Forum RULES. Do not crosspost your question on multiple forums without including links here to the other threads on other forums.

Cross-posting is when you post the same question in other forums on the web. The last thing you want to do is waste people's time working on an issue you have already resolved elsewhere. We prefer that you not cross-post at all, but if you do (and it's unlikely to go unnoticed), you MUST provide a link (copy the url from the address bar in your browser) to the cross-post.

Expect cross-posted questions without a link to be closed and a message will be posted by the moderator explaining why. We are here to help so help us to help you!

Read this to understand why we ask you to do this, and then please edit your first post to include links to any and all cross-posts in any other forums (not just this site).

[SmithAngels]

Oh, I am sorry for cross-posting. I was so hurried for an answer I did not read the terms for the forum (my apologies).

[SmithAngels]

Thank you! I am playing with the macro right now! My sincerest thanks for your help. I will pay it forward (but not with Excel... LOL).
Barbie