Sorting Rows in the Report

Sorts are defined on the "Sorting" screen of the ReportWriter:

There are no built-in sorts, so initially there is nothing on this screen other than an "Add Sort Option" button.

You can add an unlimited number of sort options.

Adding Sort Options

To add a sort option, click the "Add Sort Option" button.  This brings up an "Add Sort" dialog:

Fill in a code to identify your sort internally and a description that will be shown to users:

Then click "Add" to actually start adding the sort.    This adds the sort - still without a way to do the actual sort - and returns to the Sorting screen, with the Sort dialog:

Adding Columns to the Sort

To add columns to your sort - to actually have it do a sort - click the "Add Sort Column" button.  This brings up the "Add a column to sort on" dialog:

The drop down contains all of the columns currently in the report.  Start by adding the first column you wish to sort on (your 'outermost sort'):

For direction, select Ascending (A to Z) or Descending (Z to A) and click Add.  This adds the column to the sort:

You can change the direction of the sort by selecting the option "Sort Direction" option and then clicking Save.

You can add additional columns by repeatedly clicking "Add Sort Column" and choosing different columns:

Sorting on Name Caveat

When sorting on a name field (or fields), it is important to add an ID field as a differentiator if multiple people have the same name.   In the above example, the staff member's objectID field has been added as a safe guard against duplication.

Adding Additional Sorts

Once you  have added all the needed columns to your sort, you can add an entirely new sort option.

Again click the Add Sort Option button.