Q: HOW TO SORT TEXT ALPHABETICALLY - pages

The following code works fine as an Automator Service to sort ascending, replacing the highlighted list of items in your document. This includes Pages ’09 v4.3, TextEdit, and others, but not Pages v5. The latter requires you select your list of items, and from the Pages > Services menu, you choose “New TextEdit Window Containing Selection.” Select the list again in TextEdit and use this Service to sort, then paste back into Pages v5.

Double-click on the following images to expand.

The code:

and the Automator Service:

Hello All,

I must say a big thank you to all who have commented following the initial question by macflower70.  I am completely new to the Mac world and am having fun but what follows may be nothing but nonsence to all you seasoned pros.  Eve this addition may not turn out as expected as it's also a first.

I initially jumped into the discussion partway through and subsequently installed the WordService.service software, putting it into the Library > Service folder (thankfully having previously found out how to get to the Library folder) - thanks Jerry for nice clear instructions.  I then spent some time trying to work out how to use the downloaded additions - sort lines ascending and sort lines descending - to sort a few lines of text in Pages, all to no avail.

Just in passing it seems that you pros refer to the version of Pages either by the year when it was current (Pages '09 or Pages '13) or by its version (v. 4.3 or v. 5) - you do love confusing the novice!  I'll leave VikingOSX and his screen shots for another day!  Some of the discussion went completely over my head which also adds confusion and other questions arise - for example, where do I put the folder with the Read Me file, etc., which downloads with the WordService.service application?

I digress: I then tried following the Dec 21, 2013 5:31 PM offering from Jerry - an update for Pages '13.  I eventually arrived at completeing the sort both with or without WordService.service installed and along the way found that removing the WordService.service software removed the sort lines ascending and sort lines descending options from the Service list in System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts > Services.

At some time in the past I came across a discussion that allowed me to add "New TextEdit Window Containing Selection" as a Service - this Service system really is a mind-bending structure for the uninitiated!  Having re-installed the WordService.service software and without following Jerry's update method I used the New TextEdit Window Containing Selection service to put the text into a new window, selected that window's text, selected Services > Sort Lines Ascending (which was now available, though not available for the Pages document).  The text sorted and I was then able to copy and paste it back into the original document.

Have I completely missed the point by doing it this way?  It seemed a lot quicker and easier than trying to put the text into a headerless, single column table or is it likely that I actually did the table method in a convoluted way?

Just as an added point, the WordService.service Read Me suggests that having installed the software one should log off and then logon.  I'm afraid it's something I omitted to do and all seems to work as I would expect it so to do.

Please feel free to yell at me that I've completely wasted time because I'm barking up the wrong tree!

Regards to all,

Contentedchap

Services are exactly that services available to all applications that have the Services menu.

They are really amazingly useful, but are just another brilliant Mac technology that Apple has left largely unexplained.

The additional problem since OSX 10.7 is that rather than just work when you install them, you have to select and check them to be working in the Services, management options.

To compound that, Mavericks has problems with at least some of the Services, particularly the new iWork apps. But then the new iWork apps  seem to have problems with just about everything.

TextEdit has been relatively untouched/unharmed by the Mavericks programmers and retains most of what you would expect to work, including Services.

WordSevices has a remarkably long list of text functions, and is the one that includes sorting.

Peter

btw Don't blame us for the confusing naming of the iWork apps. They used to be bundled and named after the year they were released. Apple then split them up and renamed them after the release version which now is Pages v5, Keynote v6 and Numbers v3.

We occassionally call them as a group iWork '13, because there is no other name for the latest set.

You have found a means that sorts Pages v5+ content by using the Clipboard, TextEdit, and WordServices. It is the right solution for you because it is understandable and just works.

Hello All,

Thanks to Peter and VikingOSX for your responses to my additions and taking the time and effort to reply.  The points you both raised are very helpful and certainly add clarity for me.  They are also an encouragement.  I do apologise, Peter, if you felt I was blaming you for the confusing naming of iWork apps - it's just that seeing the differing notations when reading details written by those in the know when one is not in the know leads to questions which you have answered completely.  I could do with a skilled Mac user sitting beside and loosing 45 years off my age would also help!  Having grown up from middle age with the PC (and now regretting my lack of Mac involvement from the start of the Apple revolution) it's taking a bit longer for me to catch up on joining the technology mid-stream.

Thanks again for the explanations - they have been extremely useful and I feel welcomed by your comments.

With kind regards,

Contentedchap

This may help you better understand and use Services:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Services_menu

http://www.macworld.com/article/1163996/how_to_use_services_in_mac_os_x.html

http://www.macosxautomation.com/services/

http://brettterpstra.com/howtos/install-an-os-x-system-service/

http://www.gingerbeardman.com/services/

Peter

Why can't apple simply add a button for sorting it would be much easier. Apple are you listening please fix it thanks

Apple isn't here. You have to tell them your view using this link http://www.apple.com/feedback/pages.html

Thanks for the link to let apple know my feedback

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH its what i was looking for

thanks again

The easiest way to do this is by following my tutorial. https://medium.com/mac-tutorials/how-to-sort-a-z-on-pages-7bc5196d1ebe It takes 5 minutes and a noob can do it easily.

Nice one, that's a keeper!

Peter

I posted this same solution to this thread (page 2) on Dec 22, 2013. At that time, it had worked in the original Pages v5 release, and Pages ’09 — but frustratingly, not a newly updated Pages v5.01 or 5.02 at the time of the post. It does now work with Pages v5.2.2.

The Ruby sort that I posted on Dec. 24, 2013 in this thread also works now with v5.2.2.

I apologise Viking.

Either not paying attention or I'm starting to lose the plot!

Either way it is an alternative to Word Services, although not as comprehensive.

Peter

This was such wonderful help.  I have been stymied with so many things in iPages because I worked for years with WordPerfect and just haven't taken the necessary time to learn iPages.  Meanwhile, I have read much about iPages upgrades and am glad I haven't upgraded.  So my 2 hours of reading has been worthwhile.  Anyway, thank you again for this education on sorting in v4.3.

Silverfox