Page 48 - Excel Data Analysis

03 537547 Ch02.qxd 3/4/03 11:47 AM Page 34

EXCEL DATA ANALYSIS

CREATE A CUSTOM SORT (CONTINUED)

fter you create your custom sort order in the matter what custom sort order you intend to use, Excel
Options dialog box, you can use it to sort data in always uses the custom sort order as the first sort and then
A rows or columns of any worksheet. You perform a the sorts specified in the Then by fields.
custom sort in basically the same fashion as any other sort You can specify a custom sort order in the Sort Options
in Excel using the Sort dialog box, but the custom sort takes dialog box. See the section "Sort a List" for more
precedence over built-in sort rules in Excel. See the section information about the Sort dialog box. The First key sort
"Sort a List" for information on sort order precedence.
order field provides a list of the available sort orders. Excel
To apply a custom sort, you first select the data that you has four default custom sorts for dealing with days of the
want to sort in the Sort dialog box's Sort by field. When you week and month names. It also provides sorts for both the
use a custom sort, Excel only applies it as the first sort that full month and day names and the three-letter
occurs. In other words, Excel applies your custom sort order abbreviations. If you create your own custom sort order
to a row or column that you specify in the Sort by field in lists, Excel places them in the First Key Sort Order list below
the Sort dialog box and ignores the Ascending and the default lists.
Descending options for that field. See the section "Sort a
List" for information on sorting by rows or columns. No

CREATE A CUSTOM SORT (CONTINUED)

Grade

Normal

APPLY A CUSTOM SORT ¤ In the Sort by field, select ■ The Sort Options dialog › Click the arrow next to
the row or column to sort by. box displays. the First key sort order field.
⁄ Display the Sort dialog
box. ‹ Click Options.
Note: See the section "Sort a List"
for more information.

34