How can I sort using a secondary characteristic structure?

Question

Hello -
We have started using chracteristic structures in Query Designer 7.0 to group materials/customers for reporting.  Our users love it except that I can't find a way to allow them to sort by a key figure (in a regular column structure) within the characteristic row structure. 
Here's an example. 
Net Sales is the Key Figure in the Column Structure.
Key Customers / Groups is the structure in the rows.  There are selections build for each customer group with indidual customers assigned to each group within the structure.
The users need to sort the individual customers within each customer group in descending order by Net Sales.
There's no sorting icon available for the key figure column.
If you try to sort in the key figure properties, it doesn't work or says "not applicable".
I've tried creating a condition with 100% but that doesn't work either. 
We are using BEx Analyzer 7.0 but it doesn't appear to work with the Web Analyzer either.
Can anyone provide any type of "trick" to accomplish this requirement? 
Thank you for your help.
Ann
Key Customers / Groups                                                                               Net Sales
Customer Group A (selection)
Customer 1
Customer 2
Customer Group B (selection)
Customer 3
Customer 4
Customer 5
Customer Group C (selection)
Customer 6
Customer 7
Customer 8

Answer 1

Hi,
i think i´ve builded up something similar within a workbook. You just need two querys, one workbook, some standard excel functionality and a makro for sorting the data at the end. I think this should be less work than building a worksheet for every sub group.
The first query will only select the upper elements of the structure (in your example: "customer group") . The second query will select the complete structure like you´ve builded it originally. The first query needs a ranking key figure. (you can do it by the excel ranking function or BW function, depends on how building that query). Now you put the ranking key figure behind the second query by the excel function "v-lookup". Then you add a second column behind the second query with a excel-ranking funktion for the key figure of the second query which should be sorted. At least you add a third column which identifies the kind of characteristic structure element (for example by if-then function on the key: 1= customer group 0=customer).
Then you´ll have only to sort the complete second query by those three new columns ´- in best case by a makro - and thats it.
Hope i could help you with that.
Greetings,
Olaf