Multiple Column Sorting

Multiple column sorting refers to the capability within some grids of information of performing dependent sorts among multiple sets of columns. This is in contrast to standard grids of information in which only a single column of data can be sorted at any given time. The easiest way to tell the difference between a standard grid of information and that which is enabled for multiple column sorting is to look for a column headers that contain both a label and then a number with an arrow - this indicates a multiple column sort capable grid of information.

In order to perform multiple column sorting, the most important concept to understand is that clicking within the column header text (the section that is to the left of the separator between the text and the number) resets the column sort such that the column that is clicked upon becomes the primary sort column. Clicking in the numeric section (the section to the right) allows an ascending or descending sort of the column to occur.

After selecting the primary sort column, the secondary sort column can be selected by selecting the numeric section of the column. Subsequent columns can then be selected by selecting the numeric sections of those columns.

Clicking on the text section of any column resets the entire grid of information such that the column selected becomes the primary sort column; after that secondary and tertiary columns may be selected as described above.

The best way to understand this is to simply play with a multiple sort capable information grid to learn more concerning this intuitive and powerful capability.