Matrix table set order for Column data in Text format

[dd88]

Matrix table created to display a project release plan.

The data is text format and are project tasks.

The data source is an Excel spreadsheet and the tasks are in order as entered in the rows. The tasks are sequential by task order, month and release stage.

In PowerBI desktop app, the Release Stage I have 'Sort by column' on the SortOrder column. This works ie

1 = Phase 1 - POC
2 = Phase 2
3 = Phase 3
4 = Business as usual

Under the month I noticed the release tasks display in alphabetical order. This throws out the project tasks order.

For example in column Release Stage, Phase 1 - POC, under month Mar 2024 the tasks display as 
POC completed and signed off
POC demononstration

Safe ..

Safe ...
However these are the last tasks in Phase 1 - POC

is there a way to set the order for each task within the month?

TIA.

[Anonymous]

Hi @dd88 ,

Based on my testing, please try the following methods:

1.Add the new column Task steps in the table.

2.Drag the month and tasks field into the Rows. Drag the Release stage into the Values.

3.Click on button to Expand.

4.Select the task steps column, and choose sort by column. The result is shown below.

Best Regards,

Wisdom Wu

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

[dd88]

Thank you @Anonymous 

I add a new column for FeatureOrder, number format starting at 1 with next sequential number ie 1, 2, 3, etc

The result is the error message ' We can't sort by 'Feature' column by 'FeatureOrder'

The new column FeatureOrder only has 1 data value which is a number. Therefore I am not sure what the error message is referring to.

[Anonymous]

Hi @dd88 ,

The Release tasks column can't have the same values. The Feature column can't have the same value. Otherwise, the sort by column feature doesn't work.

Best Regards,

Wisdom Wu

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

[dd88]

@Anonymous 

The Feature column contains text. The FeatureOrder column contains numbers. The Feature column and FeatureOrder column do not contain the same values.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi @dd88 ,

Based on my testing again, the task column can be sorted successfully. Try to copy the table and enter the new table.

1.Copy the Table. Enter the table data.

2.Drag the field into the matrix visual.

3.Select sort by Task steps column.

4.The result is shown below.

5.You can open the pbix file to see the detailed steps.

Best Regards,

Wisdom Wu

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.