Multiple Sort Fields

  • Thread starter Thread starter Wendy L
  • Start date Start date
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Wendy L

Windows XP Office XP

I was wondering if there is any way to sort a query (or even a table) by
more than one field. For instance, might have field 3 as my primary sort
field, then field 2 as secondary, etc. Excel has this ability to sort, does
Access?

~Wendy
 
Yes. In the query design grid, select the sort you want in the sort box
under each field. They will be sorted in the order they are listed (left to
right). Drag the fields to change the sort order. It is also possible to
sort on a field or place criteria on a field but not have that field
displayed in the query's output, just uncheck the Show box for that field.

While Access will let you do some sorting in a table when you have the table
open, this is mostly cosmetic. There is no guarantee what order the data is
actually stored in in the table. If you need it sorted, use a query or the
Sorting and Grouping option in a report.
 
Thanks Wayne, i knew there had to be a method. I just didn't know that it
ran from left to right on the sort order. I appreciate your taking time to
respond to my question.
 
Windows XP Office XP

I was wondering if there is any way to sort a query (or even a table) by
more than one field. For instance, might have field 3 as my primary sort
field, then field 2 as secondary, etc. Excel has this ability to sort, does
Access?

~Wendy
Click to expand...

Of course. Create a Query based on the table; select the fields that
you want to sort, in the order of sorting. On the "Sort" row of the
query grid select Ascending or Descending for each field. I believe
you can sort by up to ten fields.
 
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