Sorting by multiple names in excel

S

Scotty McExcellent

Here's the problem I have. We receive word documents with names
(first, last). Is there a way to dump these names into Excel and sort
by the last name? Or is there a way to paste the names into seperate
cells?

Example (1 cell):

Katie Mac
Stewie Long
Dan Agerert

Sorted to:

Dan Agerert
Katie Mac
Stewie Long
 
J

JulieD

Hi Scotty

Easiest option is to use the Data / Text to Columns feature to separate the
names
(delimited & space as the character)

Select the column with the names in it - ensure that there's a blank column
to the right, choose
Data / Text to Columns
Choose delimited
click next
untick tab & tick space
click finish

you now have the names in two columns
if you want to put them back into one column after the sort in a third
column type
=A1 & " " & B1
where A1 is the first name & B1 is the surname
this formula can be filled down for all the rows
(you'll then need to select the column, copy it & edit / paste special -
values to turn it from a formula into the actual name)

hope this helps

Cheers
julieD
 
G

Guest

Hi

Once they are in Excel, use Data / Text to columns to split the first name
from the last and then you can sort as you wish. BTW, it looks like your
'Sorted to:' list is sorted on first name! 8>)
 
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