how do i automatically move data from rows to columns?

[iainmac]

I have data in small tables repeating - i.e. some rows and columns like
below...
--------------------
Haus Paradies *** for 4 persons Biner Basil Tel +41 27 966 24 80
Schluhmattstrasse 73 2 rooms Schluhmattstrasse 73
D12 min 2 persons 3920 Zermatt Fax +41 27 966 24 99
Homepage Rate per day: CHF 160 - 280 E-Mail
--------------------
Haus Beaulieu ** for 4 persons Interhome AG Tel +41 27 967 36 54
Wiestistrasse 65 2 1/2 rooms Hofmattstrasse 7
D3 min 2 persons 3920 Zermatt Fax +41 27 967 59 77
Rate per day: CHF 110 - 210 E-Mail
--------------------
Haus Loree *** for 2 persons Lauber Berta Tel +41 27 967 28 68
Oberdorfstrasse 116 1 rooms Oberdorfstrasse 116
E12 min 1 persons 3920 Zermatt
Rate per day: CHF 70 - 100 E-Mail
--------------------
I want to spread this data out across columns so I have just 1 row per item,
like this..

Haus Paradies *** for 4 persons Biner Basil Tel +41 27 9...
Haus Beaulieu ** for 4 persons Interhome AG Tel +41 27 9...
Haus Loree *** for 2 persons Lauber Berta Tel +41 27 9...

...so I can sort the data more easily. I am guessing that this could be very
easy in Excel but I cannot find a way easily?

Thanks for any help

 

[Eric]

I can't think of anything fully automatic, but try this if each set of
records is shaped exactly the same (four lines of data plus the separator
line between them):

1) Set up a "helper" column.
2) Enter 1 through 5 in the first five rows of the helper column. Copy this
pattern down through your dataset.
3) Sort on the helper column. All your 1's will run together (separators),
all your 2's will run together (name of property), then your 3's (address),
etc. These continuous blocks of data are then easily copied/pasted into
separate columns and will appear in their natural order so long as you don't
define a second criteria by which to perform your sort.

Hope this helps.

--Eric