Sort Overview

Sort in the Dataset

Data is directly sorted in the database query through SQL statements. For example:

• Ascending order: SELECT * FROM Sales_Volume ORDER BY Sales_Volume

• Descending order: SELECT * FROM Sales_Volume ORDER BY Sales_Volume DESC

• Multi-column sort: SELECT * FROM Sales_Volume ORDER BY Product, Sales_Volume. That is, data is first sorted in ascending order by the Product column and then the Sales_Volume column is sorted in ascending order based on the corresponding product.

Advanced Sort

Data is sorted based on the formula and sort order set by a data column. That is, the sort is dependent on the data column and equivalent to the sort before expansion.

Sort After Expansion

As the most flexible sort method, sort after expansion can meet various sort requirements during report creation. However, the sort is performed after expansion, the positions of all cells are adjusted, thus causing the worst performance. You are advised to use this sort method only when advanced sort cannot be used.

Sort in the Dataset

This sort method boosts the best performance.

1. All calculations must be performed in the database, causing complex SQL statements and difficult maintenance. Therefore, you are advised to use SQL statements to perform simple and single sorts (ascending/descending).

2. Some calculations cannot be completed through SQL statements. For example, if a column is calculated based on other data columns, sort in datasets will not be applicable.

Advanced Sort

This sort method has the average performance, allowing you to perform relatively complex sorts through formulas based on data columns.

Formulas must rely on data columns and the secondary calculations of formulas are caused.

Sort After Expansion

This sort method is the most flexible one and can meet all sort needs currently.

It has the worst performance because sort is performed after expansion, which will adjust the positions of all cells.

Sort in the Dataset

Time, date, character string, value, and boolean fields

The following effects can be achieved: 

• Single-column sort (ascending/descending)

• Multi-column sort (non-dynamic)

• Single-column Dynamic Sort

Advanced Sort

Note:

Dynamic sort is not supported. That is, you cannot sort data by clicking the column header.

1. Multi-column sort is supported in FineReport 11.0.3 and later versions.

2. Only the single-column sort can be achieved in FineReport earlier than 11.0.3. The following effects can be achieved:

• Custom sort

• Single-column sort

Sort After Expansion

1. Dynamic and multi-column sorts are supported in FineReport 11.0.3 and later versions.

2. The following effects can be achieved by the function itself:

• Single-column/multi-column sort in ascending/descending order by clicking the column header (in FineReport 11.0.3 and later versions)

• Multi-column sort based on the previously set order after the template preview (in FineReport 11.0.3 and later versions)

• Single-column sort based on the previously set order after the template preview

3. The following effects can be achieved by the combination with other functions:

• Single-column dynamic sort: You can refer to documents Sort After Expansion and Sort Change by Clicking a Column Header.

• Group sort: You can refer to documents Sort by Group Summary and Non-Interference Sort in Groups.

• Multi-column dynamic sort: You can refer to documents Multi-column Dynamic Sort, Multi-column Sort of Horizontally Expanded Columns, Multi-column Sort in Ascending Order After Expansion, and Achieving Multi-column Sort Through Dynamic Columns.

• Custom sort: You can refer to the document Custom Sort Through Bulit-in Datasets.

• Other effects: You can refer to the document Multi-level Bullet Sort.