Brewster Gillett wrote:
That being the case, it would be very useful if you could explain to us
all what *is* going on. I was not aware that a column of cells with
simple numeric values in them had to be a "table" in order for that
column to be sorted in straight numerical order.
What's going on is the same as in any other spreadsheet since 1979 when
Visicalc entered the scene. "12345" entered as text is not the same
value as 12345.
So you are saying that OOCalc doesn't do a good job of keeping
the cells in their appointed place? How is it "tearing apart"
to simply request the application of a provided function, the "SORT"
command?
No spreadsheet can keep records and fields together. There are no
records nor fields, only cells which may happen to have a database-like
sturcture. Select some cells right in the middle of your list and drag
them around.
How many tables have been destroyed by point-and-click sorting? Select a
column and hit a sort button.
Silly me - I always thought spreadsheet cells defaulted to numeric,
and you only had to tell them to format differently if you wanted
dollars, or dates, or something else. So far as I can possibly be
aware, the five-digit numbers I have entered into the column
for ZIP codes have all been entered as straight numbers.
Yes, defaults to number. Certain number formats may influence how your
input is handled. Copy and paste overrides all this. But no formatting
will ever change any of your values.
Make sure that your spreadsheet range has a first row of column labels.
Create a new empty database (File>New>Database... continue with the
defaults)
Copy your spreadsheet list.
Go to the tables section in the database and paste.
Follow the wizzard, let it add a primary key, declare proper field types
(ZIP codes are text, even when they consist of numbers!).
One fix: Load the finished table in edit mode (select icon,
menu:Edit>Edit...) and set the additional ID column to auto-value
Let the wizard create a pretty input form without the auto-value (you
don't need to see nor edit this field).
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected]
For additional commands, e-mail: [email protected]
