Sorting

You can sort text by using the predefined sort definitions included in WordPerfect. The sorted text can be displayed on-screen or saved to a file.

By using sort definitions, you can sort text alphabetically or numerically. For example, you can alphabetize a word list, sort a table of students according to their grades, or create a chronological list of purchase dates. You can also set sort options to be able to undo a sort or to sort uppercase words before lowercase words.

You can sort by date. You can also sort items in reverse order so that the last displays first.


To sort text by using a predefined sort definition

WordPerfect Office btnbacktotopproc Sorting
1.
 
Click Tools WordPerfect Office onestep Sorting Sort.
2.
 
Click File to sort, and click a file.
3.
 
Click Output to, and click a file.
4.
 
From the Sort by list, choose one of the following:
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First word in a paragraph — where each paragraph record ends with two or more hard returns
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First word in a merge data fiIe — where each merge record ends with an ENDRECORD code
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First cell in a table row — where each record is a row of cells
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First word in a parallel column — where each record is a table column or parallel column
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First word in a line — where each line record ends with a hard return
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Date in a line — where each record ends with a hard return
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Date in a table row — where each record is a row of cells

WordPerfect Office tip Sorting

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You can sort only part of a document by selecting the text you want to sort.
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Inserting hard spaces between words by pressing Ctrl + Spacebar before sorting text can prevent potential errors from occurring when sorting irregular items. For example, you have a list of names and you want to sort the list by last name. Most names in the list are made up of a first name and a last name. Some names in the list, however, have a middle initial or a middle name such as “Jane Anne Doe.” Therefore, when the text is sorted, “Anne” is sorted instead of the family name “Doe.” If you place a hard space between “Jane” and “Anne,” the text is sorted on the last name “Doe.”

To sort text by using a custom sort definition

WordPerfect Office btnbacktotopproc Sorting
1.
 
Click Tools WordPerfect Office onestep Sorting Sort.
2.
 
Click File to sort, and click a file.
3.
 
Click Output to, and click a file.
4.
 
Click New.
5.
 
In the New sort dialog box, type a name in the Sort description box.
6.
 
In the Sort by area, enable one of the following options:
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Line (ends with one hard return) — sorts by line
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Paragraph (ends with multiple hard returns) — sorts by paragraph
•
Merge record — sorts by merge record
•
Table row — sorts by table row
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Parallel column row — sorts by table column or parallel column
7.
 
In the Keys (sorting rules) area, choose one of the following from the Type list box:
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Alpha
•
Numeric
8.
 
Choose one of the following from the Sort order list box:
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Ascending — sorts from first to last or smallest to largest
•
Descending — sorts from last to first or largest to smallest

WordPerfect Office tip Sorting

•
 
You can sort only part of a document by selecting the text you want to sort.
•
 
Inserting hard spaces between words by pressing Ctrl + Spacebar before sorting text can prevent potential errors from occurring when sorting irregular items. For example, you have a list of names and you want to sort the list by last name. Most names in the list are made up of a first name and a last name. Some names in the list, however, have a middle initial or a middle name such as “Jane Anne Doe.” Therefore, when the text is sorted, “Anne” is sorted instead of the family name “Doe.” If you place a hard space between “Jane” and “Anne,” the text is sorted on the last name “Doe.”

To set sort options

WordPerfect Office btnbacktotopproc Sorting
1.
 
Click Tools WordPerfect Office onestep Sorting Sort.
2.
 
Click Options, and click one of the following:
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Allow undo after sorting
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Uppercase sorts before lowercase.
A check mark next to the command indicates that the command is enabled.

To sort dates

WordPerfect Office btnbacktotopproc Sorting
1.
 
Click Tools WordPerfect Office onestep Sorting Sort.
2.
 
Click File to sort, and click a file.
3.
 
Click Output to, and click where you want to output the sorted text.
4.
 
Click New.
5.
 
In the New sort dialog box, type a name in the Sort description box.
6.
 
In the Sort by area, enable the Line (ends with one hard return) option.
7.
 
In the Keys (sorting rules) area, choose Date from the Type list box.
8.
 
Choose one of the following from the Sort order list box:
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Ascending — sorts from smallest to largest or first to last (1 to 9)
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Descending — sorts from largest to smallest or last to first (9 to 1)

WordPerfect Office note Sorting

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You must define a sort key for each part of the date you want to sort. For information about defining a sort key, see “Working with sort keys.”
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When you enter a date, use forward slashes ( / ) or dashes ( – ) to separate the numbers in a date (for example, 12/25/59). WordPerfect interprets the date 12/25/59 as one word.

To sort by the last item in a list

WordPerfect Office btnbacktotopproc Sorting
1.
 
Click Tools WordPerfect Office onestep Sorting Sort.
2.
 
Do any of the following:
•
Click File to sort and choose a file.
•
Click Output to and choose where you want to output the sorted text.
3.
 
Click New.
4.
 
In the New sort dialog box, type a name in the Sort description box.
5.
 
In the Sort by area, enable one of the following options:
•
Line (ends with one hard return) — sorts by line
•
Paragraph (ends with multiple hard returns) — sorts by paragraph
•
Merge record — sorts by merge record
•
Table row — sorts by table row
•
Parallel column row — sorts by table column or parallel column
6.
 
In the Keys (sorting rules) area, choose one of the following from the Type list box:
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Alpha — sorts in alphanumeric order by letters and then by numbers
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Numeric — sorts by numbers only
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Date — sorts by date
7.
 
In the Keys (sorting rules) area, choose one of the following from the Sort order list box:
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Ascending — sorts from smallest to largest order or first to last (1 to 9)
•
Descending — sorts from largest to smallest order or last to first (9 to 1)
8.
 
In the Keys (sorting rules) area, tab to the record subdivision boxes and type a value in one of the following boxes that corresponds to the part of the record you want to sort:
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Line
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Field
•
Word

Sorting