Sorting non straightforward lists

[ipsdan]

I have a list of numbers that need to be sorted. Obviously this is straightforward. However in the list, although some numbers are the same value, priority needs to be given to specified values. When these values are written down the value which is to be given priority is denoted with a *. Therefore any number with a * is to be treated as bigger than the same number without a *, ie/ 163* is greater than 163.
Is there any way to get Excel to recognise this when sorting a list without a work around? I know I could use a number in a second column instead of the * but I would prefer not to do this.
Thanks for any help.

 

[ken2step]

I don't think using the sort function will work like that since once you add the * to the number Excel now sees that as TEXT not Numeric.