XL5: GP Fault After Sorting List That Contains Subtotals

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 5.0

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, if you sort a filtered list that contains subtotals, you receive a general protection (GP) fault when you then perform any other action in the application.

CAUSE

Normally, the Undo Sort command is not available after performing a sort on a list in Microsoft Excel. However, if you add subtotals to a list of data, filter this list, and then sort the list, the Undo Sort command is available on the Edit menu. When you chose this command, or perform any other action in Microsoft Excel, such as opening another workbook, or editing a cell, you receive a GP fault.

WORKAROUNDS

To avoid receiving a GP fault after you sort a filtered list that contains subtotals, do either of the following:

• Add subtotals to your list AFTER you sort your list. Because the Sort removes the subtotals from your list, you do not lose any functionality, and this is the preferred workaround.

  -or-

• Sort your list BEFORE you filter the list.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Excel version 5.0c for Windows.

In Microsoft Excel version 5.0c, under the above conditions, when you display the Edit menu, the Can't Undo command is listed, and unavailable, indicating that you cannot undo the Sort command.

MORE INFORMATION

When you add subtotals to a list in Microsoft Excel, and you then use the Sort command on the Data menu, you receive the following message:

   This removes the subtotals and sorts again. If you want to sort the
   subtotaled groups, choose the Cancel button; then collapse the outline
   and try again.

REFERENCES

For an Overview Of Sorting A List, choose the Search button in Help and type:

    sorting