Sorting tables

To sort a table based on the values in one or more columns, click the column header for the columns you want to sort. If a sort is defined for a column, the ascending (▴) or descending (▾) sort icon is shown in the column header. Otherwise, no sort indicator is provided.

About this task

Sorting does not refresh the table; therefore, you are sorting only the items currently listed in the table.

Procedure

To sort a table by one or more columns, complete the steps that follow.

  1. If no columns in the table are sorted, complete the following steps to sort the table:
    1. Place your cursor over the column header for the column you want to sort. One of the following single sort icons are displayed: the ascending sort selector (∧) icon, the descending sort selector (∨) icon, or the remove sort (X) icon.
    2. Click the single sort icon to toggle between the three options.
    3. When the ascending sort selector (∧) icon is displayed, click it to sort the column in ascending order.
    4. When the descending sort selector (∨) icon is displayed, click it to sort the column in descending order.
    5. Move your cursor from the column header. The direction of the sort -- ascending (▴) or descending (▾) is shown.
  2. If at least one column in the table is sorted, complete the following steps to sort the table:
    1. Place your cursor over the column header for the column you want to sort. The following items are displayed in the specified order: the nested sort order, the nested sort icon (A), and the single sort icon (B). For example, 2AB, where A and B are one of the following icons: the ascending sort selector (∧) icon, the descending sort selector (∨) icon, or the remove sort (X) icon.
    2. To perform a nested sort, complete the following steps:
      1. Click the nested sort icon to toggle between the three options.
      2. When the ascending sort selector (∧) icon is displayed, click it to sort the column in ascending order.
      3. When the descending sort selector (∨) icon is displayed, click it to sort the column in descending order.
      4. Move your cursor from the column header. The nested sort number, and the direction of the sort -- ascending (▴) or descending (▾) -- is shown. For example, 3▴, which means the column is the third sort and will be sorted within the first and second sorts in ascending order.
    3. To remove all the previously defined sorts and perform a single sort, click the single sort icon until the appropriate sort direction is selected. Then, move your cursor away from the column header to display the ascending (▴) or descending (▾) sort icon.

Results

The table is sorted as specified. If you use the Configure Columns action to hide sorted columns, the sorting criteria specified for those columns will be cleared.