Sorting Mixed Text And Numbers?

A column holds numbers and numbers with suffixes. The conventional sort function pushes the text values to the bottom. I need them sorted along with the numbers.

Microsoft's KB says to add a column formatted as text and then to RETYPE ALL OF THE VALUES! Splendid. But my file has hundreds of records. Re-typing all of them would be a major pain. On the other hand, if I had started typing while trying to find a way to sort the darn thing I might be done by now.

Here's what I know so far: If we create a column, format it as text and then populate with 1, 2, 3, 4, 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a, etc. it will sort exactly correct (1, 1a, 2, 2a...) after selecting the "sort numbers and numbers stored as text separately" when the Sort Warning appears. If you try to create the sample I typed here, you need to be careful that the area is formatted as text BEFORE entering the text. You apparently cannot change the format of an existing column of data to Text or if you do it does not have the desired effect when sorting. It might be useful to know if this can be done too. MS suggests not.