multi-level sorting

[David Jondreau]

Any ideas on multi-level sorting?

I've got a client who wants to be able to sort on one or more of 7 different fields. Right now the data is in a portal, but I don't mind popping up a new window. Tab sorting is too drastic, I'd need 7! (that's 7 factorial, not 7 oh-my-gosh) tab panels. Oh, actually it's 14! sort states if I include ascending/descending.

Just typing this out makes me realize the best answer I have is to open up the native Sort... dialog but I'm a little shy about the user having access to all the fields of the table and related tables available and the dialog itself is scary. The client is an elderly woman who wants the interface as simple as possible...and have a multi-level sort as well.

Oh yeah, and she wants some sort of indicator of how the records are sorted (aside from viewing the data!). I may have to say no to that one.

I guess I'm looking for complex sorting solutions others have tried.

Thanks,

DJ

PS A pre-made solution, a la BackMagic would be great!

Edited September 24, 2008 by Guest

[Raybaudi]

The client is an elderly woman who wants the interface as simple as possible...and have a multi-level sort as well.

Why not a simple Table View with sortable columns ?

[comment]

I don't see that you have too many options here. You could sort by an unstored calculation field, with all its associated problems, or give her access to the native sort dialog (perhaps in a dedicated table with only these 7 fields?).

Does she really need to sort by 7 criteria in series? In my experience, people rarely sort by more than 2 or 3 fields, and even that some combinations are impractical.

[comment]

How can you do multi-level sort by clicking columns in Table view?

[Raybaudi]

Dragging columns and CTRL clicking labels

[comment]

AFAICT, control-clicking the column header shows a shortcut menu that allows you to sort by that field ONLY.

[Raybaudi]

Comment, we are on different platforms !

On Win right clicking shows a shortcut menu, Ctrl clicking add a column to the sort list.

Next, when two ( or more ) columns are selected, you can even simple click on a label to change the sort order of that column.

BTW: sure there is something similar on Mac.

[David Jondreau]

Interesting, shift-selecting and alt/option clicking (mac) will get multiple columns sorted. It's a little awkward, esp deselecting, but it works. Don't know if it'll do for my solution, but cool.

[Raybaudi]

Hi

how do you do multiple selection of objects on a layout ?

On win is always the same: Ctrl click to select more than one and Ctrl click to de-select one from a group.

[comment]

This is interesting, and it seems completely undocumented. As far as I have been able to determine, these are the rules:

1. You can select multiple columns by command-clicking (control-clicking on Windows?). Each selected column is ADDED to the sort order.

2. Clicking a selected column reverses its sort direction.

3. The sorting always proceeds from left to right. To promote a field in the sort order, you must drag its column to the left, and vice-versa.

[Raybaudi]

Yes, it is exacty as you say... and I said

I don't know if this is undocumented, I do so always.

[mr_vodka]

Ah interesting indeed.

[Fitch]

DJ, I'm sure your client will love this cool feature you've implemented!

[David Jondreau]

And I'll charge her accordingly!

Edited September 25, 2008 by Guest

[Raybaudi]

10% of that charge to me, please :P

[comment]

You are very lucky to have an elderly lady for a client. I could use something like this on an upcoming project, but the users are scientists - and I am quite certain they will never get it, esp. point #3.