Problems Sorting with a Custom Value List

[cfahle]

I was hoping someone could offer me a solution to a problem I've been having with a record keeping database I built for my 6th grade classroom. Our district uses a standards based grading system that Use "O S G N" instead of "A B C" for scores. I created a script attached to a button that allows me to sort based on a custom value list so that O is first, G is next, and so on. The problem I run into is when I try to sort the list after I've added "+" and "-" to those scores. Even when my value list looks like this...

O+

O

G+

G

G-

S+

S

S-

N

N-

it still does not sort properly. I have tried many different things, read many different books, and spent many hours on this "simple" problem and can't seem to find a solution. Filemaker will still sort my "O's G's S's and N's" together, but it seems to randomize the "+" and "-" 's.

O

O+

0

0-

G+

G

G-

G+

etc.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[mborgens]

If you made a value list with your unique grading system, "custom" sort the field based on your value list. mb

[mborgens]

Sorry, thought it worked, I see your issue. mb

[mborgens]

Someone should be able to make an easier solution, but this works.

Make a calculation field, "GradeCalc", based off of your Grade field that gives a text result:

Case(

Length(Grade) = 2 and Right(Grade, 1) = "+", Left(Grade, 1) & ".A",

Length(Grade) = 1, Grade & ".B",

Length(Grade) = 2 and Right(Grade, 1) = "-", Left(Grade, 1) & ".C")

Then make a value list as follows:

O.A

O.B

G.A

G.B

G.C

S.A

S.B

S.C

N.B

N.C

Then sort the GradeCalc field based off of your new value list and all should be well. mb

[Vaughan]

Try setting the field's storage option (in define fields) to ASCII text.