I have a layout which is designed to show a list of records. All have different or the same due dates. I need to group some records that are simular so I highlight this by giving them the same colour(color). Obviously when I have sorted by date order these colour could be all over the place.

Is it possible to then sort these records then by date but secondly by the colour?

I know I could have a seperate field and give the same numbers and sort by that but as a visual aid... the colours work much better.

Or, I could use a seperate field where I group with numbers from 1 to 10 as part of a value list but would it be possible to give each number a different colour??? Depending on which one is returned.

You should create a number field "sortOrder" that contains an index number corresponding to the colour: 1 = red, 2 = yellow, 3 = green and so on, in the order you want them sorted.

Then define a repeating global container field "globalColours" to contain graphics of each colour (4 pixels square will do, as you can "stretch" the graphic to full field size later). The first repetition should contain red, the second yellow, and so on.

Then your "colour" field should be a calculation field defined as:

getrepetition(globalColours;sortOrder)

with "container" result. Display this field on your layout as the background to each record.

Sort by date then sortOrder (or, preferably, make a script do the sorting for you!) and the records will be in date order then colour order.

Let us know how you get on and if you need any more help.

James

James,

Thanks for your response,,,

I had a little trouble to start with but I have sorted it... Works great. Thankyou.

Edited February 12, 200718 yr by Guest