Hi



Use a further column to establish the sort order by formula: Let's say starting in A2
A2 is the name of member
B2 the district
C2 the club
Then
D2 = B2&C2&A2

Copy the cells formula until the end of the list, and afterwards select the cell D2. Click Sorting ascending or - descending.
Before sorting make sure that no empty column/row seperates your list. As always give it a try on a copy of the origin.

many thanks for this. I will give it a whirl

Tried to do that but once it came to trying i didnt really know what it meant.

It might be the way I have described it. In column G of the 25000 rows, there are the names of 356 clubs.

What I want to be able to do is to type in a formula which in non excel terms would translate as

"For each row where the cell in column G shows the words (Halifax, Leeds, Doncaster....York) then insert the H cell for that row the words District 1"

and then

"For each row where the cell in column G shows the words (Redruth, Torquay, Bristol, Taunton.... Bath) then insert the H cell for that row the words District 4"

and so on.

better still would be if I could make the formula "read" the list of clubs that belong to each district, rather than have to type them into the formula

Well, if that's what you want ...

What does your list of clubs look like?

Assuming the clubs are listed in one column (AA) and the districts in the following (AB) use VLOOKUP()
H2 =VLOOKUP(G2,$AA$2:$AB$1000,2,0)

Adjust the red part of the formula to the area were actually the clubs and districts are listed and copy the formula down the column. If you don't get it working describe were data is located, or load up a short example of the file (with personal data deleted)

I've got to thank you for your patience on this.
I have been using a dummy sheet to try and work out the method and I have tidied that up and attached it.
the sheet probaby explains it better than my narrative

Attached Files

club to clubanddistrict list.xlsx (14.7 KB, 10 views)

Darkiness

You are really close. What you need to do (easiest way) is put all of your club names in a single column with your districts in a second column right next to it. See Columns N & O.

Now you can use the formula whatsup provided:

Attached Files

club to clubanddistrict list.xlsx (16.4 KB, 11 views)