Multiple Sorts

Question

I'm trying to build a report that allows the user to select
the sort order. I was able to do this in Crystal Reports by using
several sort fields and moving data into them as needed to satisfy
the requested sort. I would always sort on all the fields, but
sometimes the fields would be blank and therefore basically
ignored. For example, I want to allow the user to sort by year,
location and SSN, or by year, location, and name. Year and location
were database fields and always populated, whereas SSN and name
were calculated fields. I would populate either SSN or name only if
that was actually to be used in the sort, otherwise it would be
blank.
I tried this in Report Builder using the advanced option in
the query builder. I entered the 2 calculated fields into the order
by statement, it was even nice enough to show the calculated fields
in a dropdown box. However, when I tried to preview the report I
got an error "Table or alias not found: calc -- Location of error
in the SQL statement is: 119 ".
Should this approach have worked? Is there another way to
accomplish this?
Also, is there a way to look at the code that the preview is
trying to execute? The only code I've found is the code snippet,
and the code fragments in the fields and parameters.
Thanks.

Answer 1

I use a similar technique for dynamic grouping in Crystal and
struggled for some time trying to find a way to make Report Builder
do the same thing.
I have a couple of questions for you though. You mentioned a
drop down box in the advanced query builder. I only had access to
the drop down boxes using the basic query builder. Also, what
database are you using?
Going solely on the error message, it sounds like the SQL
statement being generated is incorrect. Have you tried turning on
debugging to see the query being executed?
In regards to your approach, it's the only way I've found to
do dynamic grouping in Report Builder since it won't dynamically
sort the data.
Lastly, the .cfr file created is a binary file and so there's
no way to open it in a text editor and check it out. The code
snippets are not actually executed when using the preview feature.
There is an option in Report Properties that allows for direct .cfr
invocation (basically bypassing the need for the generated code
snippet).