Sort tables

The simplest method for sorting table rows is to perform a manual sort. Using this method, you can customize the sort order for each row in the table.

To manually sort table rows:

  1. Place your cursor in the table that you want to sort.
  2. On the ribbon, click Home | Table | Sort....
  3. In the Sort Criteria dialog, select Manual. Click OK.
  4. In the Manual Row Sort dialog, reorder the rows by selecting a row and clicking either Move up or Move down. When complete, click OK.

The table rows are sorted as specified. Alternatively, you can automatically sort the table rows alphabetically, or numerically.

To automatically sort table rows:

  1. Place your cursor in the table that you want to sort.
  2. On the ribbon, click Home | Table | Sort....
  3. In the Sort Criteria dialog, select a sort order, and if available, define the sort hierarchy using the Keys drop-down menus. Click OK.

The table rows are sorted alphabetically or numerically in the order specified.

Create a table sort group

If you want to sort multiple tables automatically using the same sorting criteria, you can create a sort group.

To create a table sort group:

  1. Ensure you are working in Design Mode.
  2. Place your cursor inside a table you want to include in the sort group.
  3. On the ribbon, click Home | Table | Properties....
  4. In the Table Properties dialog, click the Sort Groups tab.
  5. Click Add. A new sort group is added.

  6. Enter a label for the sort group. Complete the options as required.

    Option Description
    Start Row Enter the first row in the table that you want to include in the sort group.
    End Row Enter the last row in the table that you want to include in the sort group. All rows between the start and end rows are included.
    Primary Sort Column

    Select the primary column that you want to sort by. Secondary and tertiary columns are optional.
    Secondary Sort Column

    Select the secondary column that you want to sort by.

    Tertiary Sort Column

    Select the tertiary column that you want to sort by.

  7. Click Link. In the Link Sort Group dialog, select the sort group and click Create.
  8. Enter a name for the new link set, then click OK.

The table is added to the sort group. You can add other tables to the sort group by repeating this procedure. Ensure you add the table to the same link set to automate the sorting process.