using "part" of a cells information?.....

M

Mike Redman

Hello,
Needing to compile some data for a client recently, I found myself sorting
through vast amounts of data manually because I didn't think that it was
possible to "sort" using only part of the contents of a cell.
However, someone recently told me that they thought it was in fact possible?

Example: In my product identification codes, there are the following:
ABC-50-25100-10
DEF-50-25100-20
etc.etc. (note, the format is always the same - i.e same number and layout
of characters)

My question is this...
Is there some way that I can extract some of these characters - even if it
is to copy them into a new column next to the part codes?
Ideally, I need to be able to sort my data by say, all items containing the
"100" or the "ABC" etc.

Is there something within Excel that can help me here do you think?

Any thoughts or suggestions would be very much appreciated.
Many thanks,
Mike R
 
D

Dave Peterson

There are string functions that you can use. Looking at Excel's help for:
=mid(), =left() and =right()
would help.

=mid(a1,10,3)

would extract 3 characters starting at position 10.
 
J

Jim Cone

Mike,
My Excel add-in "Special Sort" - rel 1.30, should do what you want.
It adds 11 sort features not found in Excel, including sorting by..
Prefix, Suffix or Middle (where you specify the length/position).
Will also sort by color, dates, number group, length, reverse,
random and others.
Comes with a 2 page install/use Word file.
It is available - free - upon direct request.
Remove XXX from my email address.

Regards,
Jim Cone
San Francisco, USA
[email protected]


"Mike Redman"
<[email protected]>
wrote in message
Hello,
Needing to compile some data for a client recently, I found myself sorting
through vast amounts of data manually because I didn't think that it was
possible to "sort" using only part of the contents of a cell.
However, someone recently told me that they thought it was in fact possible?

Example: In my product identification codes, there are the following:
ABC-50-25100-10
DEF-50-25100-20
etc.etc. (note, the format is always the same - i.e same number and layout
of characters)

My question is this...
Is there some way that I can extract some of these characters - even if it
is to copy them into a new column next to the part codes?
Ideally, I need to be able to sort my data by say, all items containing the
"100" or the "ABC" etc.
Is there something within Excel that can help me here do you think?
Any thoughts or suggestions would be very much appreciated.
Many thanks,
Mike R
 
R

RagDyeR

It seems that <Data> <Text To Columns> would be perfect for what you're
looking to do, considering you have a consistent, uniform format.

Try it out and post back with any questions.
--

Regards,

RD
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Hello,
Needing to compile some data for a client recently, I found myself sorting
through vast amounts of data manually because I didn't think that it was
possible to "sort" using only part of the contents of a cell.
However, someone recently told me that they thought it was in fact possible?

Example: In my product identification codes, there are the following:
ABC-50-25100-10
DEF-50-25100-20
etc.etc. (note, the format is always the same - i.e same number and layout
of characters)

My question is this...
Is there some way that I can extract some of these characters - even if it
is to copy them into a new column next to the part codes?
Ideally, I need to be able to sort my data by say, all items containing the
"100" or the "ABC" etc.

Is there something within Excel that can help me here do you think?

Any thoughts or suggestions would be very much appreciated.
Many thanks,
Mike R
 
C

CLR

I second the motion..........."SpecialSort" is COOL...............

Vaya con Dios,
Chuck, CABGx3
 
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