How to sort rows by one column?

okok · General User Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Posts: 34

I have a table (several rows and columns) of data in Calc. I want to sort the rows so that their order change according to the data in one of the columns.

To be make it more clear, each of the rows in my sheet represents an event, and one of columns contains a date. The whole data was inserted in no particular order, and I want to sort the rows by the dates they contain.

I tried to mark the cells of the column I wanted to sort the data by and used the sort (Z-A) button, but the result was the the order of cells in that column changed. They also moved to the top of the sheet from their proper place, which is a few rows below.

What should I do to sort the data? This is probably a basic operation, but I don't understand how to achieve it.

mushtaque_asghar

Plz try these steps:

1) Ensure / check wether all the data is entered as per Cloumn Heading
2) Select the data source, using Mouse or Keyboard.
3) Choose Data => Sort ...
4) Sort Dialog Box will be appeared
5) Select the Column Heading from Left Panel and Sorting Order from the Right Panel
6) Simultaneously 3 kinds of conditions can be applied on the Selected data
7) If done press Enter of click on OK Button

If you want more support, you can visit my website http://www.mushtaq4u.tk and download the Help Manual - Calc (Page # 128).

Thanks...
_________________
Thanks & Regards,
Mushtaque Asghar Shaikh
http://www.mushtaq4u.tk

okok · General User Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Posts: 34

Thanks mushtaque_asghar

In the meantime I learned that simple sorting can be done by highlighting all relevant rows, selecting a cell in the column containing the data by which the rows are to be sorted, and using the sort button (A-Z or Z-A).

But from your answer I leaned a way for making more complex sorting, first by one column, then, as a secondary sorting, by another. This is useful to me.

This raises a different question: is there a way to define some sort of shortcut, a keyboard combination or a button, to perform this kind of sorting, so that as data is added to the sheet, I can have it sorted more quickly according to the criteria I can select in the Data->Sort... menu?