I have a data file holding info as follows.....
Apples
Bananas
Carrots
1 Apples
2 Apples
1 Bananas
12 Bananas
9 Carrots
....and so on.
Note that some fields start with a character, some with one numeric, a space and then a character while others might be two numeric, a space and then a character.
My problem is, how do I index on the first alpha character so that the list would be….
Apples
1 Apples
Bananas
1 Bananas
12 Bananas
Carrots
9 Carrots
that is, first on the alpha then on the leading numeric (if there was one).
I can’t change the data file so it seems some sort of indexing is the way to go.
Thanks in advance.
Ken F
Brisbane Aust.
Apples
Bananas
Carrots
1 Apples
2 Apples
1 Bananas
12 Bananas
9 Carrots
....and so on.
Note that some fields start with a character, some with one numeric, a space and then a character while others might be two numeric, a space and then a character.
My problem is, how do I index on the first alpha character so that the list would be….
Apples
1 Apples
Bananas
1 Bananas
12 Bananas
Carrots
9 Carrots
that is, first on the alpha then on the leading numeric (if there was one).
I can’t change the data file so it seems some sort of indexing is the way to go.
Thanks in advance.
Ken F
Brisbane Aust.