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How to sort data numerically then alphabetically in Excel?

In Excel, when you sort an alphanumeric string list, it will sort the alpha first at default, but in some special cases, you may want to sort the strings numerically first. In this case, I will introduce a trick to add a help column to solve it.

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Sort alphanumeric string numerically then alphabetically with formula

Sort alphanumeric string numerically then alphabetically with Kutools for Excelgood idea3


arrow blue right bubble Sort alphanumeric string numerically then alphabetically with formula

To sort alphanumeric strings numercially, you need to apply a formula to extract the number from the string to a helper column.

1. Select a blank cell next to the strings, B2 for instance, enter this formula =MID(A2,2,3), and then drag fill handle down to the cells you need. See screenshot:
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2. Then keep the formula cells selected, and click Data tab to select one sorting order as you need, in the Sort Warning dialog, check Expand the selection option. See screenshot:
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3. Click Sort, and the data has been sort numerically. You can remove the helper column after sorting.
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arrow blue right bubble Sort alphanumeric string numerically then alphabetically with Kutools

If the alphanumeric strings are not combined with the same number of numeric characters and alpha characters as below screenshot shown, how can you quickly sort them numerciallly then alphabetically?
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With Kutools for Excel, you can apply its Remove Characters utility to leave only numbers of each string firstly, and then sort them.

Kutools for Excel, with more than 300 handy functions, makes your jobs more easier. 

After installing Kutools for Excel, please do as below:(Free Download Kutools for Excel Now!)

1. Copy and paste the data into a new column, column F for instance, and then click Kutools > Text > Remove Characters. See screenshot:
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. In the popping dialog, check Non-numeric option, and then click Ok, the alpha characters have been removed from the copy. See screenshot:
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3. Keep the copy selected, click Data tab to choose the sorting order you need, check Expand the selection option in the Sort Warning dialog. See screenshot:
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4. Click Sort, then the strings have been sorted ascending. You can delete the copy after sorting.
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