Error when sorting: "Missing column/row name"

Question

How to solve this error message that won't let me sort?

Answer 1

I had the same problem and figured it out following these steps:

1- Click on the first cell on the spreadsheet

2-  then go to Data » Sort. 

3- Select "My list has headers;" sort by Columns; Sort on Values; Order A-Z, if your columns have a header (title)

(if you click the arrow down in columns you will see the heading of your columns)

4- Go to "options" and select either top to bottom, or side to side!

5- Press OK

The problem I was having is that I was not using the "options" button to select the direction of the page the text should be sorted.  I usually do it Top to Bottom, not Side by Side.

Hope it helps.

Answer 2

If you are sorting a column type a word into the first cell at the top of the column you are sorting.

If you are sorting a row, type a word  into the first row of the row you are sorting.

If you are sorting a table, every column must have a label.

Answer 3

Do you have the column named (usually the first row in a Column to enter name of the column)?

Answer 4

You are Replying to an Answered Question in a thread which has been dormant for nearly 2 years. If the solution provided to the OP doesn't work for you, your situation must be different.

In order for your issue to be seen it would be best if you'd post a New Question stating all descriptive details pertinent to your specific issue [nature of the data, its layout, what exact steps you're taking, what does happen, how it differs from what you expect, etc.]. Please be sure to specify your present version levels for both Office & OS X.

Answer 5

See if this movie will help: (note part has to do with sorting numbers but some of it may apply)

http://www.screencast.com/t/aHvNkChRn

What you may be running into is that your not selecting the Column Name.