# Microsoft Knowledge Base

## XL: Sort By Set To "(none)" Causes Error Message

Last reviewed: May 27, 1997 Article ID: Q109212

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
- Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0
- Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, version 5.0
- Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

## SUMMARY

In Microsoft Excel versions 5.x and 7.0, if you select "(none)" in the Sort By list in the Sort dialog box, and then choose OK, you will receive the following error message:

       Sort reference is not valid.

In Microsoft Excel 97, you will receive the following error message:

       The sort reference is not valid. Make sure that it's within the data you
       want to sort, and the first Sort By box isn't the same or blank.

## MORE INFORMATION

In the Sort dialog box, the "(none)" choice appears in the Sort By and Then By dropdowns so that you can eliminate a sort key from the sorting process. Although "(none)" is an available option in the Sort By box, you may receive an error if it is selected. In order to successfully sort the data, you must choose a value other than "(none)" for the Sort By dropdown, or primary key.

> Additional reference words: 5.00 5.00c 7.00
> Keywords : kbusage
> Version : 5.00 5.00c 7.00 | 5.00
> Platform : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
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Last reviewed: May 27, 1997
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