Rich Text & Sorting

[MCain]

I have a database that I need alphabetical and I want to color code some of
the names.

I have sorted the database alpahbetically and saved it with a new name. To
sort it, I have to use Text format in my first and last name fields. When I
have them listed as Rich Text it will not give me the option to sort when I
highlight either of those fields.

When I go in and change the name fields to Rich Text so that I can color
code them, my database reverts back to not being alphabetical. What am I
missing or doing wrong?

Being able to color code fields is wonderful, so glad they finally gave us
that option.

Thanks!

 

[Pat Hartman]

The rich text format embeds formatting commands into the text which would
make sorting on such a column nonsensical. If you must sort on the text
columns, you will need to maintain two versions of the data.

 

[MCain]

I wouldn't need to sort again, if it would just keep the alphabetical sorting
and allow me to then change to Rich Text and color code names.

 

[Pat Hartman]

Relational tables work differently than flat files. Records are not
returned in any particular order UNLESS they are retrieved by a query that
specifically sorts them. That means that no physical order will be
preserved and even if the physical order is maintained, the order of rows
returned in a query can by definition vary.

 

[Ron2006]

Saved it with a new name???????

If you use the sorted information to create a new table or append to
an emptied copy, make sure that that table has an autonumber field.
After doing whatever else you want to do with that table, sort by that
original autonumber field and it will revert back to the original
sequence. (or as was suggested, create that table with the fields you
want to sort on duplicated, change format on one of the sets and sort
on the other.)

Ron

 

[Rick Brandt]

I have a database that I need alphabetical and I want to color code
some of the names.

I have sorted the database alpahbetically and saved it with a new
name. To sort it, I have to use Text format in my first and last
name fields. When I have them listed as Rich Text it will not give
me the option to sort when I highlight either of those fields.

When I go in and change the name fields to Rich Text so that I can
color code them, my database reverts back to not being alphabetical.
What am I missing or doing wrong?

Being able to color code fields is wonderful, so glad they finally
gave us that option.

Thanks!

You have to understand how the Rich Text (actually HTML) format works. When you
use that the actual data stored is no longer what you see on the screen because
it has to also contain all of the "tags" that define the formatting. If you
were allowed to sort on it you would not get the results you expect anyway.