Sort strings non alphabetically in query

**HammerTime** · 09-28-2009, 04:02 AM

hi,

I have a dataset with columns: date(daily), year, season, data1, data2,....etc.

I have a simple query to sum the data cloumns by season for each year. However this puts the years in ascending order but the seasons in alphabetical order (Autumn, spring, summer, winter). Is there a way to force the output of the query to be a set order (Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring)?

Thanks,

(ps. yes, I do want summer first as this is southern hemisphere seasons

)

**rwgrietveld** · 09-28-2009, 04:18 AM

You have to create a "Custom List" in Tools->Options Tab Custom Lists.

Then select the data and sort. With options you can set the key sort order in options.

**HammerTime** · 09-28-2009, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by rwgrietveld

You have to create a "Custom List" in Tools->Options Tab Custom Lists.

I am running Office Professional Edition 2003, and I do not seem to have a Custom Lists tab in Tools>Options.

Any other suggestions?

**teylyn** · 09-28-2009, 08:24 PM

I am running Office Professional Edition 2003

Me too, and I see the attached. What do you see?

**HammerTime** · 09-28-2009, 10:14 PM

Teylyn, that is what I see in Excel, but I thought this was the forum for Access questions? Sorry, I should have been explict: I am looking for a solution in Access.

Not to worry, I can now copy to excel and sort it there.

Thanks for the help.

**ConneXionLost** · 09-29-2009, 03:50 AM

Hi HammerTime,

If you build a lookup table (in Access) for the seasons, you'd be able to add a sort column to it and put then in any order you wish.

Cheers,