Extract and sort text cells from a range containing both numerical and text values

Filed in Excel on Oct.26, 2009.

Array formula in B16:

=INDEX(tbl, MIN(IF(SMALL(IF(ISTEXT(tbl), COUNTIF(tbl, "<"&tbl)), ROW(1:1))=IF(ISTEXT(tbl), COUNTIF(tbl, "<"&tbl)), ROW(tbl)-MIN(ROW(tbl))+1)), MATCH(SMALL(IF(ISTEXT(tbl), COUNTIF(tbl, "<"&tbl)), ROW(1:1)), INDEX(IF(ISTEXT(tbl), COUNTIF(tbl, "<"&tbl)), MIN(IF(SMALL(IF(ISTEXT(tbl), COUNTIF(tbl, "<"&tbl)), ROW(1:1))=IF(ISTEXT(tbl), COUNTIF(tbl, "<"&tbl)), ROW(tbl)-MIN(ROW(tbl))+1)), , 1), 0)) + CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER copied down as far as necessary.

Named ranges

tbl (B2:C6)
What is named ranges?

How to implement array formula to your workbook

Change the named range.

Download excel file for this tutorial.

Sort text values alphabetically from a range containing both numerical and text values.xls
(Excel 97-2003 Workbook *.xls)

Functions in this article:

COUNTIF(range,criteria)
Counts the number of cells within a range that meet the given condition

IF(logical_test;[value_if:true];[value_if_false])
Checks whether a condition is met, and returns one value if TRUE, and another value if FALSE

MATCH(lookup_value;lookup_array; [match_type]
Returns the relative position of an item in an array that matches a specified value

INDEX(array,row_num,[column_num])
Returns a value or reference of the cell at the intersection of a particular row and column, in a given range

ISTEXT(value)
Checks whether a value is text, and returns TRUE or FALSE

ROW(reference) returns the rownumber of a reference

MIN(number1,[number2])
Returns the smallest number in a set of values. Ignores logical values and text

SMALL(array,k) returns the k-th smallest row number in this data set.