The Sort Reference Is Not Valid

I have a tab with four different sets of similar data. Each pasted from a pivot table with a different item in filter selected. I need to sort each column desc, which is why i can't leave it in the pivot. I have four sets of similar code, only the starting point of the data sets changes. When running the macro, the first data set sorts perfectly. But when i get to the apply step in the second set of code, it tells me "Run time error 1004- The sort reference is not valid. Make sure that it's within the data you want to sort, and the first Sort By Box isn't the same or blank."

Below are the first two sets of code

sub test()
first_start = 8
second_start = 15
'Sort First
    Set lastrow = Cells(Rows.Count, ConvertToLetter(Val(first_start))).End(xlUp)
    Range(ConvertToLetter(Val(first_start)) & "4").Select
    Selection.End(xlToRight).Select
    Range(ConvertToLetter(Val(first_start)) & lastrow.Row & ":" & ConvertToLetter(ActiveCell.Column) & lastrow.Row).Insert
    Selection.AutoFilter
'account for column label
    num = 1
    Dim test As String
    Dim test2 As String
    Dim test3 As String
    Dim test4 As String
    test = ConvertToLetter(first_start + num) & "5:" & ConvertToLetter(first_start + num) & lastrow.Row - 1
    For Each risk In Range(ConvertToLetter(Val(first_start)) & "4:" & ConvertToLetter(ActiveCell.Column - 1) & "4")
             
        ActiveWorkbook.Worksheets(ActiveSheet.Name).Sort.SortFields.Add Key:=Range( _
        ConvertToLetter(first_start + num) & "5:" & ConvertToLetter(first_start + num) & lastrow.Row - 1), SortOn:=xlSortOnValues, Order:=xlDescending, DataOption:= _
        xlSortNormal
        
        num = num + 1
    Next risk
    test2 = ConvertToLetter(Val(first_start)) & "4:" & ConvertToLetter(ActiveCell.Column) & lastrow.Row - 1
    With ActiveWorkbook.Worksheets(ActiveSheet.Name).Sort
        .SetRange Range(ConvertToLetter(Val(first_start)) & "4:" & ConvertToLetter(ActiveCell.Column) & lastrow.Row - 1)
        .Header = xlYes
        .MatchCase = False
        .Orientation = xlTopToBottom
        .SortMethod = xlPinYin
        .Apply
    End With

    Range(ConvertToLetter(Val(first_start)) & lastrow.Row - 1 & ":" & ConvertToLetter(ActiveCell.Column) & lastrow.Row - 1).Delete

            
'Sort Second
    Set lastrow = Cells(Rows.Count, ConvertToLetter(Val(second_start))).End(xlUp)
    Range(ConvertToLetter(Val(second_start)) & "4").Select
    Selection.End(xlToRight).Select
    Range(ConvertToLetter(Val(second_start)) & lastrow.Row & ":" & ConvertToLetter(ActiveCell.Column) & lastrow.Row).Insert
    Selection.AutoFilter
    Selection.AutoFilter
'account for column label
    num = 1
 
    test3 = ConvertToLetter(second_start + num) & "5:" & ConvertToLetter(second_start + num) & lastrow.Row - 1
    For Each risk In Range(ConvertToLetter(Val(second_start)) & "4:" & ConvertToLetter(ActiveCell.Column - 1) & "4")
             
        ActiveWorkbook.Worksheets(ActiveSheet.Name).Sort.SortFields.Add Key:=Range( _
        ConvertToLetter(second_start + num) & "5:" & ConvertToLetter(second_start + num) & lastrow.Row - 1), SortOn:=xlSortOnValues, Order:=xlDescending, DataOption:= _
        xlSortNormal
        
        num = num + 1
    Next risk

    test4 = ConvertToLetter(Val(second_start)) & "4:" & ConvertToLetter(ActiveCell.Column) & lastrow.Row - 1
    With ActiveWorkbook.Worksheets(ActiveSheet.Name).Sort
        .SetRange Range(ConvertToLetter(Val(second_start)) & "4:" & ConvertToLetter(ActiveCell.Column) & lastrow.Row - 1)
        .Header = xlYes
        .MatchCase = False
        .Orientation = xlTopToBottom
        .SortMethod = xlPinYin
        .Apply
    End With

    Range(ConvertToLetter(Val(second_start)) & lastrow.Row - 1 & ":" & ConvertToLetter(ActiveCell.Column) & lastrow.Row - 1).Delete
    Range("A4").Select
end sub


Function ConvertToLetter(iCol As Integer) As String
   Dim iAlpha As Integer
   Dim iRemainder As Integer
   iAlpha = Int(iCol / 27)
   iRemainder = iCol - (iAlpha * 26)
   If iAlpha > 0 Then
      ConvertToLetter = Chr(iAlpha + 64)
   End If
   If iRemainder > 0 Then
      ConvertToLetter = ConvertToLetter & Chr(iRemainder + 64)
   End If
End Function

I can’t for the life of me figure out why I’m getting that error. I threw in those test-test4 variables to help me, but as far as i can tell the outputs are what they should be. IE test matches test3 and test2 matches test4. The ending rows and starting columns are different, but looking at the data they match.

Capture.PNG

Any assistance would be appreciated.

Wow that's so much more elegant than what I was trying. Worked like a charm. If you're ever in Birmingham, AL, I owe you a beer!!! Thanks so much.

Oh, no offense taken. There's always a better way. I appreciate the rework. I'll take a look and see how it goes.

Thanks again.