Microsoft Knowledge Base

XL: Sort By Set To "(none)" Causes Error Message
Last reviewed: May 27, 1997
Article ID: Q109212

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

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: May 27, 1997
©1997 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Legal Notices.