# What is the sort order for Excel, IE and Windows

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-sort-order-for-excel-ie-and-windows/45048>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 11, 2000, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-sort-order-for-excel-ie-and-windows/45048 "2000-12-11T18:27:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Fonz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Fonz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fonz)\
**Post date:** [December 11, 2000, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-sort-order-for-excel-ie-and-windows/45048/1 "2000-12-11T18:27:36Z")

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I’m trying to force things to the top or bottom of lists, because they are frequently referenced.

Excel “Help” says digits come first, and special characters last, and blank always dead last.

But if I put an entry with a **~** or **-** in front, like this  
**-urgent** or **~urgent** it will float to the top of the sort order.  
What can I use to “sink” an entry to the end?

* * *

## In IE Favorites, **-urgent** won’t sort to the top, but **- urgent** will (that is, with a space after the - ) To float to the top of the urgent list, you need **- - urgent**

Windows Explorer seems to be the same as IE  
So, same question- how can I make something “sink” to the end. What is the Last Character in the sort sequence?

Thanks