Hi Gordon,
As has already been mentioned above, Numbers tables follow a database model. A sort on any column will sort the rows of the table according to the values in the column being sorted. It will not sort a single column without changing the order of the rest of the columns in that table.
To sort individual columns, you must remove that column (or its data) from the multi column table andplace it in a table of it's own., sort that column, then return the data to the original table.
For your case, using a six (or more column table on which you want columns B and C each sorted in ascending order, with no change in order of the other columns, here are the steps:
- select and copy the data in column B.
- Click on an empty part of the sheet and paste to create a single column table containing that data.
- Sort the single column table ascending, the select and copy the data in that column.
- Click (once) on cell B1 of the original table. Paste.
The sorted data will be pasted into the column, replacing the original (unsorted) data in that column.
- Repeat with column C.
- Delete the single column table(s) created for the sort.
Note: The process takes far less time than writing its description!
Rgards,
Barry