ExpressView: Sorting (v2021.1+)

Data can be ordered by applying sorts to the columns. Adding a group will automatically add a sort on the column. Detail fields may optionally be sorted.

Data can be sorted either in Ascending or Descending order. Ascending sorts start from the smallest or earliest value and end at the largest or latest value. Descending order is the opposite—starting from the largest value and ending at the smallest.

Sorting is indicated by a sort direction icon in the column header. Sorts on Detail Fields are also displayed on the Sorts tab of the Properties Pane, and can be modified from there as well.

•  — this column is sorted in Ascending order
•  — this column is sorted in Descending order

There may be several sorts on detail fields in an ExpressView. When there is more than one sort on ExpressView detail fields, a sort priority is formed. Consider the figure below, with two sorted detail fields: City and Country.

One sort must be the primary sort and the others will follow in priority order. Use the Sorts tab of the Properties Pane to view and modify the priority of detail field sorts.

Sort priority for groups is determined by the grouping order. See ExpressView: Grouping (v2021.1+).

Adding Sorts

Groups are automatically sorted in Ascending order when they are added. If a detail field has a descending sort when it is converted to a group, the sort direction will be changed to Ascending.

To add a sort on a Detail Field:

1. Open the Column Menu by either clicking on the Column Menu  icon or right-clicking on the column.
2. Click Sort Ascending to sort this column in Ascending order or Sort Descending to sort this column in Descending order

As sorts are added to detail fields, they will be added to the bottom of the sort priority list.

Modifying Sorts

Sort order may be changed with the Column Menu for both groups and detail fields. Sort order and priority may be changed with the Properties Pane for detail fields.

To change sort direction for groups:

1. Open the Column Menu by either clicking on the Column Menu  icon or right-clicking on the column.
2. Click Sort Ascending to sort this column in Ascending order or Sort Descending to sort this column in Descending order.

To change sort order for detail fields, either:

1. Open the Column Menu by either clicking on the Column Menu  icon or right-clicking on the column.
2. Click Sort Ascending to sort this column in Ascending order or Sort Descending to sort this column in Descending order.

or

1. Open the Properties Pane to the Sorts tab.
2. Click either desc to sort this column in Descending order or asc to sort it in Ascending order. The currently selected direction is highlighted.

To change sort priority for detail fields, either:

1. Open the Column Menu by either clicking on the Column Menu  icon or right-clicking on the column.
2. Click Change to Primary Sort to change this column’s sort to be the primary one.

or

1. Open the Properties Pane to the Sorts tab.
2. Click and drag the Move Grid Row  icon to move the sort to the desired position
   

   

Removing Sorts

Groups must be sorted. To stop sorting on a group column, ungroup it.

To remove a sort on a detail field, either:

1. Open the Column Menu by either clicking on the Column Menu  icon or right-clicking on the column.
2. Click Remove Sort.

or

1. Open the Properties Pane to the Sorts tab.
2. Click the Delete  icon in the row of the sort to remove.