Problem with sorting a numeric field in an append query

[Guest]

I have a need to run at least 2 append queries that are done one right after
the other. In each of them I have a numeric field sorted in ascending order.
Most of the time but not always my second append query numeric field is
interspersed within the first append query results. This is not the way I
want it. If, for example I append numbers 1 through 10 in a table, and then
append numbers 11 through 20 in a table, I want the result to show numbers 1
through 20. This is not always what happens. I might get 1, 13, and then 4
for example. I know for sure I have the field sorted in each append query.
I have to delete the records in the table and run my queries again. It takes
multiple runs for it to work. Is this something I'm doing wrong?

 

[Randy Harris]

I have a need to run at least 2 append queries that are done one right after
the other. In each of them I have a numeric field sorted in ascending order.
Most of the time but not always my second append query numeric field is
interspersed within the first append query results. This is not the way I
want it. If, for example I append numbers 1 through 10 in a table, and then
append numbers 11 through 20 in a table, I want the result to show numbers 1
through 20. This is not always what happens. I might get 1, 13, and then 4
for example. I know for sure I have the field sorted in each append query.
I have to delete the records in the table and run my queries again. It takes
multiple runs for it to work. Is this something I'm doing wrong?

The problem is not that you are doing something wrong but rather a
misconception of how tables behave. Tables will often show data in the
sequence in which the records were entered but you will never be able to
rely on that happening. The only way that you will ever have control over
the order in which records in a table are shown is by using a query. Tables
simply don't retain any sort of a sequence of records.