I quit my job without any plan at all on what I was going to do next. I was the sole IT worker for an SMB and had been for the past decade. I was burned out, exhausted, and jaded.

Now I'm going back to school, so I guess it wasn't the WORST decision. I definitely could've handled it better, though.

What's always been funny to me is that Yamaha also seems to have the cheapest and some of the most expensive stuff too. Look at (piano) keyboards for example.

Okay, I couldn't wait so here are my formulas based on the following parameters:

1.) Numeric data always follows in rows after the correct alpha value. IE Anything between A and B values in the A column belong to the A group. Anything between the B and C values in the A column belong to the B group.

2.) You want the output to be in two separate columns.

Given that your input data is in column A and the value "A" begins at A1, here is your formula for B2 (B1 will be empty as there is no numeric value to tie to A1)

=IF(ISERROR(A2/1),"",A2)

This will put numeric values only that are in column A into column B.

Again, given that your input data is in column A and the value "A" begins at A1, here is your formula for C2 (C1 will again be empty as there is no numeric value for your array in A1)

=IF(ISERROR(A2/1),"", IF(ISERROR(A1/1),A1,IF(ISERROR(C1/1),C1,1)))

This will put the correct alpha values from column A into column C in the same rows as the numeric values from column B. If something goes really wrong, it will place the number 1.

Given that there are no gaps in your data, you should just be able to fill down and it'll appropriately put the correct values into columns B and C. At that point, I'd just paste the values of columns B and C into a new sheet (or columns) and sort the data to remove the blank rows.

I just tested it in LibreOffice Calc, and it works perfectly (given those parameters).

Edit: Repeated a word.

Are the numeric values always correctly sorted in the cells below the alpha data cells? IE, youd never have A numeric values, then B numeric values, then more A numeric values?

Also just to be clear, are you putting the results in a single cell, or does the comma in your example denote separation between two cells? I'm guessing two cells. I want to work on this, but I just want to make sure I'm working on the correct thing :)

I usually divide a cell's value by 1. A value that isn't numeric will throw an error. Combining that with ISERROR or IFERROR, you can do some pretty powerful stuff.

I used to work at an electronics manufacturer in the US and our vendors had the same deals etched out in their invoices.

You just made me picture The Matrix but instead of humans as the "batteries" its nothing but Agent Smith clones being policed by yet more Agent Smith clones.

Ive had both a basket model and the "toaster oven" style. At least in my case, I much prefer the latter. Its just my personal preference, though.

Actually, shoot... After rereading your reply, I might have taken your example data too literally. Are the alpha values truly always alpha and your numeric values always numeric? Otherwise it won't work, and I'll have to find another solution.

Still thinking about this, if the "alpha" value in column A is actually a date value, this formula would need more checks. Let me know if that's the case, and I can work something out.

And you were correct! I take sample data too literally lol

Nice!

No worries! I just like to be absolutely sure, because I've seen a lot of fringe cases in excel that really make you think hard about how you're going to lay everything out. I just wanted to be sure before I worked on it. I love Excel, though, and wouldn't have minded doing it over lol.

The formulas in my other reply should absolutely work. Let me know if you need help with that!

Also, I'd definitely be interested in a "Libre/OpenOffice help" group. I think it's fun finding creative and clean ways to solve things that seem difficult.

"Act your wage"

Any time!

No, no, no, a nerdy slightly goth brunette. Duhhhh!