Numbers-sort

Hi Mark,

You could continue with your current layout, but separate the table into three tables, each with five columns.

As separate tables, each could then be sorted independently of the others.

Here's a mockup, using simple labels in column A. I've used a set of random numbers in the 'order' columns to provide a convenient means of 'de-sorting' the tables. You see them after some use. UK and Misc have become quite randomly ordered, but Continental is currently sorted on the content of the leftmost column.

Here is the same page after a quick sort of the UK section:

And one more trip to the column reference tabs for the Misc. section brings us to this:

To separate your single table into three independent tables:

• Click on the table to activate it and show the row and column reference tabs.
• Click the tab for column F, then shift click on the tab for column O to add all columns from F to O to the selection.
• With columns F through O selected, click and hold on the center of the tab for column F, pause until you see the selected columns 'rise' from the page, then drag right until the selected columns separate from the first five columns.
• Release the mouse button to drop the new 10-column table onto the sheet.
• Repeat, this time selecting the rightmost five columns of the 10 column section, then dragging those five right to form a third five column table.
• Arrange the three tables on the page as I've done in the example above, leaving a small space between each pair.

Regards,

Barry

Hi Mark,

If you set your table up like this (an extra column for "Type")

you can sort on column B (Item)

And then sort on column A

And each Item is alphabetically listed within each Type.

That table also allows the use of a filter.

or the Categories feature.

Regards,

Ian.

A-E is 5 columns, F-J is 5 more columns, and K-O is yet 5 more columns. So you are dealing with 15 columns, not 3 columns.

When a table is sorted on a column each row stays intact. If you want different sorts for different columns then you can split your table into multiple tables and then sort.

A screen sheet and and explanation of the problem you are using Numbers to solve would help.

SG

Hi Mark,

I didn't realise that you wanted to create an order/invoice (for each customer?).

The usual advice in this forum is to use the Charm of Numbers: several tables, each with its own purpose.

For example, you could arrange the items in a large table as I suggested, and use formulas to "pull" chosen items into a small table (order/invoice). Print the order. No need to print the whole list of items on offer.

Let's keep tweeting!

Regards,

Ian.

P.S. Numbers does not have "Print Selection". That is why we must use separate tables on separate Sheets (tabs) and print only the relevant Sheets. Ian.

Hi Mark,

I see!

You can sort a range of columns separately if you copy them to another table, sort that table and copy back to the original table to overwrite the old list.

For example, copy columns F, G, H, I, J for CONTINENTAL, paste onto a blank part of the 'canvas' and sort that new table by column F.

One problem I foresee is that all the blank cells in column F will end up at the bottom. Or maybe that is what you want?

Regards,

Ian.

Mark writes: "I get that but that is a bit old hat. The question lies, why does one table (5 columns) interfere with the others?"

You have a single table, with fifteen columns, not 'one table (5 columns) and two 'others'. One of the design considerations in Numbers is the use of several separate tables, which can be placed anywhere on a Sheet, each with a separate task. Separate your tables, as I've suggested above, and they will not 'interfere with each other'. Leave them joined together as one table, and there is no other table to interfere with.

Regards,

Barry