Sorting a report (2003)

[DCuz]

I have a database of information that I have created a report from. It provides a sign in sheet sorted in alphabetical order by the individual's last name. How do have it sort and print by last names beginning with A - C, D - F, G - I, etc. ? I need it to separate each section instead of printing it all together.

[grovelli]

I suppose you can group the report by using expressions such as
[lastname] like "[A-C]*"

[patt]

Are these letter combinations always in lots of 3? eg, A-C, D-F, etc

If they are, then create a new field in the query called Break and calculated as :

Fix((Asc(Left(IndivLastName,1)) - Asc("A") + 3) / 3)

then use this field as a break in the report.

This expression generates 1 if the 1st char of the individuals name is A - C, or 2 if D - F, etc

[grovelli]

When you say, "use this field as a break in the report", do you mean putting it in the Field/Expression column of the Sorting and Grouping window?

[HansV]

Patt is not online at the moment. I think that's what he meant.

[johnhutchison]

Here is an extension of Patt's idea.

Add a Group field to the Query, then put it in the Sorting and Grouping Dialog, and give it a Group Header.

Put the Group field into the Group Header.