You could set up a custom sort list under Tools>Options>Custom Lists...
import or type your four derivatives in the order you want to sort them.
Once you have this set up, go to data>sort... and select the options...
button, now in the 'first key sort order' select your new list and click
ok,ok
This should sort you list how you want

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HTH
Nick Hodge
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Southampton, England
www.nickhodge.co.uk
nick_hodgeTAKETHISOUT@zen.co.uk.ANDTHIS
> I have a column of faculty and need to sort it by rank in a particular
> order. There are four ranks. How is this done? thanks for your help
> in advance.