Sorting

I am using Excel as a database with data in 3 columns. How can I sort out the database alphabetically on the first column when the rows are of different widths as it always seems to upset the row widths making some of them very wide and others so narrow data in the other columns is hidden.

Please attach a sample of the file so we can see exactly what the issue is.

I have extracted a small section of my Excel database and tried to upload it but it is a Word document and I can only upload a jpeg etc. I cannot see how to convert my Word document to a jpeg or other document.

Try again!!

The problem I am having is that if I want to add names I would normally add them to the bottom of the database and then sort them alphabetically into their correct positions. When I do this the rows are thrown out and I have to readjust them which I do not want to do every time.Sample.xlsx

Originally Posted by grahamila

Try again!!

The problem I am having is that if I want to add names I would normally add them to the bottom of the database and then sort them alphabetically into their correct positions. When I do this the rows are thrown out and I have to readjust them which I do not want to do every time.Attachment 333472

I, too, had no difficulty maintaining widths.

I did notice, however that your numbered entries in column B show up as if entered as one line with multiple spaces (?) between them. I've had difficulties with those, too.

Try ending those lines within the cell with Alt+Enter. This puts a carriage return-line feed after each numbered entry just like you were typing a Word document within each cell.

Hope this helps.

Thanks FDibbins and FlameRetired for your postings and I apologise for not responding sooner. The advise about Alt+Enter is new to me so I will modify my spreadsheet. Also, after each entry I dragged the gridline below the details down to create a space between entries so I don't know if that might have thrown things out later when adding names. If I use Alt+Enter at the end of each entry to create that space I would like is that likely to cause problems?

Many thanks for this. I have modified my spreadsheet using Alt+Enter and all seems well. I have found in a couple of places where I added 2 spaces by mistake at the end of each entry instead of 1 without noticing it I am unable to delete the additional space when I go back to the entry. Alt+Backspace does not work as it would in a Word document.