SQL Query: Order by "string" then ascending

[L1sta]

Hi there
This possibly isn't the most difficult of requests, but i cant get it to work
I have a column in a table which will be either "general" or a random string (free text entered by the user).
I need a subform which always has 'General' at the top (if it exsists) and then in ascending alphabetical order.
Hopefully theres a simple way to put this into a SELECT query.
Thanks for any help,
Lista

 

[adalger]

If I understand the question, what you want is to order a list alphabetically, with the exception that the word "General" must be placed at the head of the list regardless of alphabetical order.

Right?

If so, I don't think a SELECT query will do it for you, but a UNION might. Make one SELECT with your conditions AND <field_name> = 'General', and append another SELECT with your conditions AND <field_name> <> 'General' ORDER BY <field_name>. Then your recordset will consist of all records with 'General' followed by all others in alphabetical order.

TMTOWDI - it's not just for Perl any more

 

[PHV]

Something like this (SQL code) ?
SELECT ...
ORDER BY IIf([your column]='General',0,1), [your column]

Hope This Helps, PH.
Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884 or FAQ181-2886

 

[L1sta]

Thats perfect! thank you!