Sorting table rows and columns

Know how to sort a table by rows or by columns in Adobe FrameMaker.

When sorting by numbers, currency symbols are ignored, but negative signs are recognized. For example, -9 or (9) sorts before 9 in an ascending sort. The comma and decimal separators displayed in numbers are treated according to the Regional options set for numbers and currencies on your system.

Text always comes after numbers in a sort. Text strings in tables are sorted based on the default system locale.

To sort a table in Adobe FrameMaker, do the following:

1. Save your document, so that you can revert to your last saved version if the sort gives unexpected results.

2. Choose View > Panels > Conditional Tags and set all conditionals to Show. to make sure the table contains no hidden conditional rows in the table.

3. Do one of the following:

   • To sort all columns or all rows in a table, click anywhere in the table.

   • To sort only certain rows, select cells in the rows you want to sort.

4. Choose Table > Sort. The Sort Table dialog is displayed.

   Figure 1. Sort Table dialog
   
   

5. If you want to sort all rows or all columns, select All Body Rows in the Scope drop-down list.

   If you want to sort only the selected rows or all columns, select Selection in the Scope drop-down list.

6. Do any of the following:

   • To sort the rows of the table, click Sort Rows. If the rows contain heading or footing cells as well as body cells, only the body cells are sorted.

   • To sort the columns of the table, click Sort Columns.

   • To sort uppercase letters apart from lowercase letters, select Case Sensitive.

7. Choose a primary sort key by selecting from the Sort By box and clicking Ascending or Descending.

   You can sort straddle cells as long as they don’t extend past a row or column that you’re using as a sort key. Use Table > Unstraddle and try again.

8. Optionally, choose a second and third sort key from the Then By areas.

9. Click Sort.