You can sort records alphabetically or numerically, in ascending or descending order. Your sorting instructions can be based on the data in a single field or in multiple fields. (For example, you can sort first by last name and then by first name.)
Sorting applies only to visible records. Hidden records are not sorted. When you sort records, they are reordered in all database layouts, not just the current layout.
To create sorting instructions:
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If you're not already in Browse or List mode, choose Browse or List from the Layout menu. |
| 2 |
Choose Sort Records from the Organize menu. |
| 3 |
Select the name of the field that will have the highest priority in the sort, then click Move. |
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Tip: You can also double-click the field name to move it. |
| 4 |
Specify ascending or descending order for sorting. (See the table below.) |
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Select additional fields in the order of their priority in the sort, and specify ascending or descending order for each field you select. |
Tip: If you often use the same sorting criteria, you can reuse the same sorting instructions by saving them as a named sort.
The following table explains how different types of data are sorted in both ascending and descending order.
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Data type |
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Ascending order |
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Descending order |
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Text |
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A, a, ... Z, z |
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z, Z, ... a, A |
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Numbers |
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0 ... 9, 10 |
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10, 9 ... 0 |
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Fields containing all text, mixed with fields containing all numbers |
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A, a, ... Z, z, then 0 ... 9, 10 |
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10, 9 ... 0, then z, Z, ... a, A |
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Fields containing a mixture of text and numbers |
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Entries starting with numbers first (1z before A1) |
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Entries starting with text first (z1 before 1A) |
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