Can Numbers Do a "Natural" Sort?

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Level 10

122,210 points

Can Numbers Do a "Natural" Sort?

Does anyone know if there is a way to make Numbers sort mixed alpha-numeric data like the OS X Finder does file names? For example the Finder puts 2a before 11a, because 2 is less than 11, counting the entire digit string as a unit. This is sometimes called a "natural" sort. Sorting in numbers puts 11a before 2a, because 1 is less than 2, taking only one character at a time.

iMac Intel/2C2D, eMac G4/700 10.5, 10.4, 10.3, 9.2, Mac OS X (10.5)

Posted on Mar 7, 2008 8:26 PM

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Answer 1

WWJD

Level 6

15,830 points

Mar 7, 2008 8:42 PM in response to Tom Gewecke

In many spreadsheets, I've always had to add leading zeroes. You could create another column with a sort value but this may be too cumbersome.

Regards,

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Answer 2

KOENIG Yvan

Level 8

41,819 points

Mar 8, 2008 2:01 AM in response to Tom Gewecke

Hello Tom

You hit a missing feature.

It's true that some apps offer the ability to sort the two ways.

The traditional response is:

_go to "Provide Numbers Feedback" in the "Numbers" menu_, describe what you wish.
Then, cross your fingers, and wait at least for iWork'09 😉

Yvan KOENIG (from FRANCE samedi 8 mars 2008 11:01:27)

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