Ordering groups by summarized values

Groups can be organized in either ascending or descending order by summary value. For example, in an orders report, if you subtotal the order amount by state, you could order the groups:

• from lowest to highest order amount (ascending)
• from highest to lowest order amount (descending).

You order the groups in a report by summary values using the TopN/Sort Group Expert command on the Report Menu.

To order groups by summary value

1. Click Top N Expert on the Supplementary toolbar.

   The Top N/Sort Group Expert dialog box appears with a tab for each of the groups in the report that has a summary.

2. Click the tab for the group you want to sort.
3. Select the Sort All option from the drop-down list on the left.
4. Choose the summary that you want to base your selection on from the summary drop-down list on the right.

   The summary drop-down list on the right is for those cases in which you have multiple summaries within a single group section. For example, in an orders report, you might sum and average the orders for each customer and then display both the sum and the average in the same group section. In such a case, you would select the sum or the average from this drop-down list.

5. Specify the sort direction.
6. To select a second group sort, repeat Steps 2-5.

When you run the report, the program will order the groups based on the summary value(s) specified.