help with index

[bobbyneal]

I just switched from a4v8 to a5v9 and trying to figure this thing out. I am so confused and need simple help. I watched the instructional videos, but the tool bars look different on my screen. I created a simple customer table with an ID , lastname, firstname, address and so on. When I display the form or browse, it list them in order of records. I see my indexes when I go to define or edit indexes, but when I am viewing my table, I can't find where to change my index. I just want to order them in order of lastname. I do not have a select index/query button on my tool bar. I managed to make a custom tool bar which shows that button, but it is not highlighted and won't work. "Control I" does nothing. I know I am missing something simple, but now I'm frustrated. How do I access my indexes to change the order of my records?

Thanks,
Bobby

[davej]

Re: help with index

Bobby,

Welcome to the wonderful world of Alpha 5.

On the default toolbar, you should see both an ascending (A over Z with upward pointing arrow) and a descending (Z over A with a downward pointing arrow) icon. Simply click in the last name field and click the ascending icon and the records will be sorted A to Z.

If you want to test this, open Alphasports, click on 'Customers' and click the ascending sort icon. You can also easily design your own custom toolbar an include both sort icons.

Dave

[bobbyneal]

Re: help with index

Thanks, this did help me sort in order of last name. My "ascending sort" and "descending sort" buttons are not highlighted and will not work, however "control a" did sort them. I still need to sort in order of "lastname + firstname". I put this in my "lastname" index order expression, but it does not add the first name when "ascending sort" on the lastname column. Why do my toolbar buttons not light up and work and why doesn't my "control I" not work. How do I turn them on.

Thanks,
Bobby

[davej]

Re: help with index

Bobby,

Assuming you have the standard menu bar (NOT toolbar), you can click Query and select Multi-field Sort. Then, select the last name field from the dropdown list of fields (note that you can select ascending or descending), then you will see a second select field - select first name (you can also set it either A-Z or Z-A. You can go six levels of sort, if you want.

Alternatively, you can create a concatenated field under field rules - something like Lname+" "+Fname and sort on that, even though it is not displayed on the form.

Dave