Sorting data using a parameter 1

[mciing7912]

Hi,

I'm using Crystal Reports 8.5 and I was wondering if it's possible to sort the data by differents criterias! I mean, using a parameter, say to the program, if parameter equals 1, sort the information by date1, if equals 2, by date2 ....

is this possible??

thanks!

 

[MVisconte]

Yes... and it's a reasonable and reasonably common request.

First you need a parameter and you need to set default values for it. I.e. {?SortOrder} w/ default values of "Birthdate", "Hire Date", "Last Pay Date", etc. - using dates as an example.

Next, make a formula that will test for the parameter values and substitute a field for each case. I.e.,
{@SortOrder}
If {?SortOrder} = "Birthdate" then {field.birthdate}
else if {?SortOrder} = "Hire Date" then {field.hiredate}
else if {?SortOrder} = "Last Pay Date" then {field.lastpaid}
else {field.datefired}


Now you have a formula that will change it's source based on parameter.

Next group on that formula.

Voila ;-)


--
Marc Visconte
CSC
Lead RMS Developer
Crystal Reports

 

[lbass]

If you want to have sort options that are of different data types, then you either convert all formula results to text, or you could create separate formulas by datatype:

//{@datesort}:
if {?sort} = "Date" then
{table.date} else date(0,0,0)

//{@numbersort}:
if {?sort} = "ID" then
{table.number} else 0

//{@stringsort}:
if {?sort} = "Name" then
{table.name} else ""

Add each of these in the sort fields. If you want to group, by the formulas, add groups on each and then suppress the appropriate group section in the section expert by using a formula, e.g.,:

{?Sort} <> "Date" //to suppress the {@datesort} group header/footer

//etc.

-LB