Sorting records troubleshooting
Records don't sort in the correct order
 •
If numbers don’t sort correctly (11 is before 2, for example), they are entered in a field formatted to contain text data. Change the field type to Number. See About choosing a field type.
 •
You might have text in a field formatted to contain numbers. Number fields ignore text when sorting.
 •
You might have hidden values in a field that is formatted as radio buttons or checkboxes. Values that are not on the value list do not show. To display them, add an unformatted copy of the field to a layout, then click in the field to see what it actually holds.
 •
FileMaker Pro automatically updates sort order in a file when:
 •
you make changes to related fields specified in the sort order. However, only the current parent record is affected.
 •
any schema change, a local import-record operation, a local operation that replaces the contents of a field, a local field relookup, a local ODBC operation, or a redefined external data source modifies records in a table.
 •
FileMaker Pro does not automatically maintain sort order for modifications to:
 •
records that are not related to the current record.
 •
related fields. For example, when you sort in Table view on a related field and then create a blank record, the record remains at the bottom of the sorted records instead of sorting to the top with other blank records.
 •
a value list that is included in a sort order.
 •
external ODBC data sources.
Records disappear after sorting
 •
Records with nothing in the sort field sort to the top of the list in an ascending sort. Scroll down (or click Forward button in the status toolbar to page down) to see your records or omit blank records before sorting.
Sorting repeating fields
 •
You can't sort the values within a repeating field.
 •
Repeating fields sort according to the value in the first repetition.
Related topics 
Sorting records
Was this topic helpful? Send feedback.