Locking a column. Excel, 2002.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ron Badour
  • Start date Start date
R

Ron Badour

I don't know if locking is the correct phraseology and perhaps that is why I
can't find an answer.

In column A are the numbers, 1, 2, 3, and so on and I want these numbers to
remain stationary (they are the rank ordering) when I do a sort on another
column (say H).
 
Select the range that you want to sort, but avoid column A. Then sort your
data.

If you let excel guess at the range, it'll think that you may want all the
contiguous columns sorted.

Personally, I would sort that column, too.

But I'd fill it with a formula like:

=row()-1
(headers in row 1 and data starts in row 2)

And sort the entire range.

And I would never let excel guess at what I wanted sorted. If it guessed wrong
and I didn't notice it, my data would be trashed.
 
I don't know if locking is the correct phraseology and perhaps that is why I
can't find an answer.

In column A are the numbers, 1, 2, 3, and so on and I want these numbers to
remain stationary (they are the rank ordering) when I do a sort on another
column (say H).
Click to expand...

Hi Ron

Are you selecting the range to sort?

If not, try doing that and then Data > Sort > select "Continue with
the current selection" option if it's displayed > Sort > select your
sort options > OK

I've presumed that there is no formula relation between columns A and
H.

Regards

Steve
 
Dave and Steve

Thanks for your replies. I am a self taught Excel novice and I don't
understand your suggestions. Let me furnish more data.

Col A is the relative standing (first place, second place and so on) and I
want it to remain stationary when sorting. Col B is name, col C is wins,
col D is losses, col E is
total and col F is average (%). I want to sort on col F and have the
highest average in 1st place at the top of the list (col A) and the next
highest in 2nd place and so on.

I went to Data, Sort and selected Column F descending. I marked "no
headers" and clicked OK. There is no "Continue with the current selection"
option. I don't know what you mean by "selecting the range to sort." There
is no formula relationship between columns f and a.
 
Select your range to sort first:
B1:F999 (assuming your data ends in row 999)
Do not include column A.

Then use data|sort.

Do not let excel guess what range that should be sorted.
 
Dave

After fiddling with it for an hour, I finally got it. Many thanks for the
hints on how to go about it.
 
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