Modifying a sort field

Reordering sort fields

1.

Highlight the field you want to move in the Sort Fields list.

2.

Select Sort functions > Reorder sort fields.

The sort field is enclosed in square brackets ([ ]). (To see the close bracket, scroll to the right.)

3.

Use the up arrow and down arrow keys to move the field to the desired location.

4.

When the sort field is where you want it, select Reorder sort fields again.

Modifying subscripting of an arrayed sort field

1.

Highlight the field in the Sort Fields list.

2.

Select Sort functions > Change subscripting.

The Field Subscript window is displayed.

3.

See Selecting an arrayed field for details on entering subscript information for an arrayed field.

When you subscript in the Fields to sort function, you can only use a literal as your subscript value.

Modifying ranging

Sometimes you will want to use only part of a field for sorting. You can do this by specifying a range of characters to be used in a sort field.

1.

Highlight the field in the Sort Fields list.

2.

Select Sort functions > Change ranging.

The Field Range window is displayed. (If your field is larger than 99 characters, this window was displayed automatically when you selected the field.)

3.

See Printing only part of a field (ranging) for details on entering ranging information for a field.

When you’re in the Fields to sort function, you can only use literals as your range values.

Setting sort order

By default, a field is sorted in forward order, which means alphanumeric data is sorted in alphabetical order and decimal data is sorted from lowest to highest. You can reverse this order so that alphanumeric data is sorted in reverse alphabetical order, and decimal data is sorted from highest to lowest.

1.

Highlight the field in the Sort Fields list.

2.

Select Sort functions > Change sorting order.

When reverse order is set, the letter R appears in the FLAGS column for that sort field.

The Change sorting order function is a toggle; select it again to change the sorting order back to forward.

Deleting a sort field

A sort field can be deleted provided both of the following conditions are true:

• It is not merged with the sort field that follows it.
• It is not used in a subtotal access field definition.

1.

Highlight that field in the Sort Fields list.

2.

Select Sort functions > Delete sort field.