First, let me offer belated thanks to Robyn for the place-holder suggestion. Thayne described the distinction in spreadsheet programs between numeric and text (ASCII) entries. This was indeed what I meant about the ease of getting spreadsheets to display such sequences as F-1...F-2002 in alphanumeric order -- by designating the series as text. Another way to look at my problem in WinExp is that it is essentially a table, with internal rules that I can apply in minor ways. I can change sort order by date and by type of file, but Microsoft does not give me the option to sort truly by filename where numerals are concerned. Perhaps this is because that would disrupt WinExp's ability to find filenames because WinExp is unable to "think" in text. Donna's comment >>It's called 'logic' thinking with PC's. Not 'rational' thinking.<< , differentiating logic from reasoning, is well taken. Turing et al. undertook the search for algorithms that would simulate our beliefs about human thought. Successor researchers continue to refine the constructs in certain ways, but since it all is still based on 010101010 states, the limitations remain. I still wish for an option to set the WinExp table display in a way that would sidestep the core program. Thank you all for the illuminations. Judy --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.