The arrow indicates that you can move the selected sort column Region, in this

Pivoting, Drilling, and Sorting Data 4-27

a. Set the sort order from High to Low.

b. Set the sort order from Low to High.

c. Apply Group-sort.

To use the sorting tools:

1.

Select the table columns to sort. 2. Click the tool to sort the column. If a column is already sorted or group sorted, clicking the tool returns the data to its previous unsorted state.

4.3.2 Sorting Data on Crosstabs

Because the location of data on a crosstab determines the relationship of one data item to another, sorting crosstab data is different to sorting tabular data. In particular, you normally want to maintain those data relationships while rearranging the data. The way to maintain the data relationships is to sort data on the left axis relative to a specific column on the top axis, or sort data on the top axis relative to a specific row on the left axis. The sorting tools and Sort Crosstab dialog box Figure 4–37 automatically sort the data in that manner and maintain the data relationships. Note: Some data on a crosstab layout is already sorted by default. For example, text items automatically sort alphabetically.

4.3.2.1 Sorting Crosstabs Data from the Tool Bar

Most typical crosstab data sorts can be handled with the sorting tools on the tool bar Figure 4–34 . Sorting a crosstab with the tools on the tool bar automatically sorts all of the items on an axis. To sort crosstab data from the tool bar:

1.

Select either the column on the top axis or the row on the left axis to use for sorting. 2. Click the A-Z tool or the Z-A tool. The data on the crosstab is sorted relative to the selected column or row. 4-28 Oracle Fusion Middleware Users Guide for Oracle Business Intelligence Discoverer Desktop Figure 4–35 Sorting Example on a Crosstab Key to Figure 4–35 :

a. A Crosstab Table.

b. Options for choosing which axis to sort. Choose Above the data to sort on Items on

the top axis. Choose Along left side of data to sort on Items on the side axis, see note C below. c. The sort-options for the left axis are Profit SUM and Region. Note: You can also sort on the left axis by clicking the selection handle of the item on that axis and then click one of the sorting tools on the tool bar. Returning a Crosstab to its Previous State After sorting a crosstab, the data on the top axis or left axis is reordered relative to the column or row you used for sorting. To return the crosstab to it previous “unsorted” state, you must manually resort it. In the example above Figure 4–35 , you would resort the data by the items in the left axis, Region and City. Click on the Region item’s selection box and then click the sorting tool on the tool bar to resort. Repeat with the City item. The crosstab reverts to its previous state.

4.3.2.2 Sorting Across an Axis

Data on each axis is sorted by default: ■ Text is sorted alphabetically from A-Z ■ Numbers are sorted from lowest to highest You can reverse the sort order by selecting the item on the axis and clicking the Sort Order tool on the tool bar. For example, in the following figure, Regions are sorted from high to low Z-A. To reverse this order, select the item handle as shown in the figure, then click the A-Z tool on the tool bar.