>>try to get each word in a separate column in the select and order via SQL order by
>>
>>
>>thomas
>
>Thomas,
>
>it's still a problem since its mixed alpha and digit. The digits should be sorted as numbers, the alphas as alphas after the digits.
>
>As you can see in the message to Tore its a bit of PAD[L|R] to sort it out, but I need the lenght beforehand.
>

Sounds like you are on the way to a solution. I may not be awake enough yet to contribute, lol, just wanted to say I like the discussion.

I also like the way you approach it, wanting a clean and clever solution. In my experience that's what separates pro developers from hacks.