How can I 'freeze' a column of sequential numbers on an excel spreadsheet?

Question

I have an excel spreadsheet with student names and teachers. I have used the autosort feature so that I can choose 'teacher' or 'grade level' etc. However I would like the first column that has numbers to remain the same...not to sort. I always want them in sequence from 1 - 15 for example.

Answer 1

by default, when you select the "autosort" feature, excel will highlight all rows/columns that are continuous (ie: all cells that have something next to each other).  In other words if you have something in columns A, B, C, D, E and rows 1 thru 50.  When you use autosort, excel automatically selects everything from A1 thru E50.   If there was a blank column (let's say B was completely blank), excel would only select C1 thru E50 (and not sort anything in Col A).  

so to answer your question, there are 2 ways to keep one column in the same order.

First way...insert a blank column inbetween that column and where the data that you want sorted is.  Then continue using autosort like you have been.

Second way...don't use the autosort feature at all.  Instead highlight only the data you want sorted and then go to Data > Sort option and manually select what you want to sort.

Answer 2

Don't highlight that column when you do the sort.

Answer 3

Highlight them, "Copy", then "Paste Special - Values" and paste them right where they are.  That will leave them as values.  Don't include them in the sorting.