sorting by 3 columns isn't working

[scorpweb]

hey all,
i have some data i need to filter in 3 fields but can't get it to work hope somone can help in someway or suggest a work around in some way
data is similar to
Subject 1 .......1/9/14......42
Subject 2 ........2/9/14.....32
Subject 1.........1/9/14.....56
I need it filtered so it has subject by date and the hours field (col C) organised by highest to lowest.
Subject 1.....1/9/14....56
Subject 1.....1/9/14.....42
Subject 2 .....2/9/14.....32
above is an example of the desired outcome
any ideas would be great it's given me such a headache today.
...yes i've obviously tried the sort method in Excel


note: what appears to be Col, A,B,C above is really E,K,M if that makes a difference.


I'd welcome a work around as am totally lost on getting this working.

 

[Papi]

Welcome to MrExcel. What version of Excel are you using?

 

[AlphaFrog]

...yes i've obviously tried the sort method in Excel


note: what appears to be Col, A,B,C above is really E,K,M if that makes a difference.

Can you better explain exactly what happens when you tried the sort method? Did it sort partially? How did you set up the sort?

I would think it should work. It did for me using your example data.

When using the sort method, make sure the subject text doesn't have hidden trialing spaces e.g.; "Subject 1" is not the same as "Subject 1 "

 

[Papi]

In excel 2010 this is what it will sort like if you select ... Data > Sort>

1) Sort by Subject > Sort on Values > A-Z
2) Sort by Date > Sort on Values > Oldest to newest
3) Sort by Hours > Sort on Values > Largest to smallest
Select OK

Hope that helps.


******** language="JavaScript" ************************************************************************>

Book1
	A	B	C	D
1	Subject	Date	Hours
2	Subject1	01/09/14	56
3	Subject1	01/09/14	42
4	Subject2	02/09/14	32
Sheet1

 

[scorpweb]

thanks for the help all,

will try the above and check the leading spaces feel that may be the issue.