Sorting text as numbers (or vice versa?)

[benwiggy]

I have text data which starts with a number, e.g. "1. Blah", "2. Blah", "3. Blah" .... etc.

The data may also include "4a. Blah", "4b. Blah".

The data is listed in a portal, and I want to sort the data by the leading number. Is there any easy way to do this, without 10 appearing between 1 and 2, but rather after 9....?

I suppose I could put leading zeros, but I'd prefer not to.

Thanks

[comment]

You could define a calculation field (result is Number) to extract the leading number, and sort by that. It would probably be better to keep the hierarchy level in its own field/s to begin with.

[benwiggy]

It would probably be better to keep the hierarchy level in its own field/s to begin with.

Thought you might say that. But as the hierarchy might include things like "4a, 4b", would that really make a difference?

I'll try the calc field, thanks.

[comment]

as the hierarchy might include things like "4a, 4b", would that really make a difference?

No. But suppose it said "4.1", "4.2"... or that you had a field for Chapter and another for Subchapter...