Formatting a table with a segregated first (ID #) column from sort functionality

Hello Excel Community,

Thanks for taking the time to read my post. I have a question regarding table formatting in Excel 2010. Essentially I have a table with a first column that holds an ID number and I want this field to remain static (i.e. when I sort by a different cell I want it to sort everything else but the first column).

This is what it should look like before sorting:
BeforeSort.jpg

But after sorting on the Task Name column it looks like this (notice the ID # column is out of order):
AfterSortTask.jpg

When I manually exclude it from the table formatting, the cell formatting gets messed up (notice the cell colors):
IDExcludeSort.jpg

The problem with having it out of the table is that the cell formatting gets all jacked up. This problem gets exacerbated when inserting new rows as well. Reformatting the table doesn't seem to fix it.

I am just looking for a way to exclude the ID # column from any sort function executed on the other rows while being able to maintain the table format (cell color, borders, etc.). I know it sounds easy enough, but I couldn't figure out how to do this after ~2 hours of Googling it so ended up here.

I am totally open to suggestions on using a different method in trying to complete this task.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much,
-ohw0rd

Hi ohw0rd

Welcome to the forum

The obvious answer (well it's obvious to me anyway ) is to have all rows the same colour. - Job done!

By default, a table will have banded rows. To turn this off, with the cursor in the table area, click on the design tab and uncheck "Banded rows".

If you really do insist on having banded rows, presumably you have designed the table, turned off the table, sorted and turned the table back on with the rows in a mess.

Highlight all the table then go to home > Fill colour > No Fill.

Now go to Design and check the "Banded Rows" and select the colour scheme that you like.

Hope this helps

Regards
Alastair

Hey Alastair,

Thanks so much for the response! I didn't even see the option to disable the banded rows (now I know!). This solution fits into my original "totally open to suggestions on using a different method in trying to complete this task" request. I will just leave the banding off so that the color format will no longer pose an issue.

Thanks again!
-ohw0rd