Alphabetize list

pglages,

I like Word Services too, but there is also a native way to sort. A bit of a pain but effective.

It goes like this:

Select the list.
Format > Table > Convert Text to Table.
Select the one of the table cells.
In the Tables Inspector, Edit Rows and Columns, Sort Ascending/Descending.
Select the Table
Format > Table > Convert Table to Text. Now you're back to your list, sorted.

Jerry

Using Services is a bit different in Snow Leopard. First you have to select the text 7 Object you want to do something with. Then go Services. If nothing is still in the list choose Services preferences. Select all functions you want the computer being able to use. Close the preferences. Try again. now you should see all applicable options.

pglages wrote:
I did use Jerry's suggested process, which worked, but left odd misplaced formatting.

pg,

If you define a Style before doing the sort you can restore the format after sorting by applying that style to the sorted text.

Jerry

I am having a problem with sorting my data too... When I print my labels from my address book I can change the sorting order. But, when I use Pages I cannot change the order?? In other words I am only putting the first name on the letters (merge field) and because of the limited sorting selection I can't seem to get the same order from my address book and Pages merged letter. So I am spending a lot of time sorting after printing to match the letters to the labels. There has got to be a better way... Help!

Please start your own thread as this thread isn't about merging.
You can also look for labels, merging plus alphabetize i by search function in the forum.

I an sorry that I can't help you on this issue, but there are folks who knows about these matters here.

yb,

You will have better control over your merge order if you first copy your data from address book to Numbers and merge to the Pages letters from Numbers. As fruhulda suggested, a new thread is in order.

Jerry

pglages wrote:
Thanks guys. I haven't been able to figure out how to use WordServices. I copied it to username>library>services, restarted, selected the list in pages, then what??? Nothing seems to show to direct the sort.

I did use Jerry's suggested process, which worked, but left odd misplaced formatting.

Anyway, any further advice would be much appreciated.

Select the text.

+Menu > Pages > Services > Format > Sort Lines Ascending/Descending+

If you are using OSX 10.6 you may also find the Services in your contextual menu (right mouse click on the selection).

Peter

Friends,

As a normal part of academic reports, I sort large text blocks into separate lists.

I purchased iWorks to avoid the excesses of Word.

I have been unable to find an alphabetical sort function in Pages.

I have downloaded and followed instructions in regard to Devon's application to sort in Pages.
The applications fails to work.
I choose not to be at the mercy of a system that I am too dumb to activate.

Do I understand that Apple intends one to move data back and forth between Pages and Numbers to accomplish alphabetical sorting?
Is this an intended advantage of Pages + Numbers?
Is there an advantage to this that I fail to understand?

Should I revert to Word?
If so, why would I choose to work between Pages and Word to accomplish what Word can do alone?

I welcome suggestions.

MQPeterson

Welcome to Apple Discussions

The very first reply to the original poster (OP) in this thread has a link to the free WordService by Devon Technologies. Installing this in the Services folder in either the main HD > Library or your home > Library & restarting Pages will give you access to alphabetical sorting & much more. If you are using Snow Leopard you need to go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts & enable the individual services.

The benefit of using services is that they are available in all services-aware applications. You then have a consistent set of actions across multiple applications.

I believe that Office is not one that can use them.

Having general functionality, like spelling, sorting, auto-completion/correction, color and font selection, media selectors etc in the System is one of the very good ideas in OSX.

The clumsy, awkward and secretive way it has sometimes been implemented is the problem.

Peter

Peggy,
Thank you.
I did manually copy the WordServices.service file to the Services folder in the Library.
When it did not work the first time, I trashed the Services folder in the Library, restarted the computer, created another Services folder in the Library and did another manual copy of the WordServices.service to the Services folder.
I restarted the computer again.
Still missing.

I feel confident in the sequence of a through n, I am either conflating two steps or missing one.
The dumb feeling comes from not recognizing THE STEP.
This is the same feeling I had in graduate school using FORTRAN, knowing that I had misplaced a comma somewhere.
Thank you again for your help.
Martin