How to sort only a selected area?

Question

I'm trying to sort only a selected area (4 of my 5 columns) and not the entire table. Numbers help is worthless and nothing I've tried works. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

What Yvan says, with additions.
As well as copying the data to a second table, sorting it there, then pasting it back into the original table, Numbers lets you select and drag one or more columns from a table, then drop it on the sheet, where it will automatically become a new table.
Here's an example:
This is the original 10 column table. We wish to sort columns E, F and G into alphabetical order, while leaving the other columns in their original order. note the four locations where AAA, BBB, CCC and EEE appear in the same line.
Click on any cell in column E. When the column tabs appear, select columns E, F and G by clicking on the E tab, then dragging to add to the selection.
When the three columns are selected, click and hold on one of the three tabs, drag up until the columns separate from the table, then drag the selected columns to an empty space on the sheet. Drop to form a new three column table.
If you now select column A on this table and Sort Ascending, the result will be as shown:
Note that rows in the three columns moved together. If this is the result you are looking for, skip to the last step. If you want each of the three rows sorted individually, continue from here.
To sort the three columns individually, each must be in a separate table. Separate them in the same manner as you did to separate the three column group from the original table: Select the individual column, then drag it's tab up until it separates, then left or right as appropriate and drop it to form a single column table. Take care to keep the separate columns in their original left to right order.
Sort each column in turn.
LAST STEP
After sorting, drag each column (or the group of three if you did not sort the columns separately and individually) back to its place in the original table. Click on the temporary table to show the tab(s), Select the column(s), then click and drag a tab to move the column(s) to the original table. As you approach th place they came from, a double blue line will appear to show where the column(s) will be inserted if dropped. Drop at the appropriate location. If you are moving single columns, repeat until done.
Finished. Note that each of the red columns is now in order. While AAA and BBB remain together, the other 'matched sets' no longer match.
Regards,
Barry