Question about sorting

[Anonymous]

Hi,

this is a general question.  I have built a report based on a excel file.  In this excel file, i have a column called "Trades".  In the excel file, these trades (column) are in a specific order, but when i add a table to the Power BI, it seems to want to alphabetically set this column up.  Why?  And specifically cant i have the exact same order as was in the spreadsheet for Trades?  If so, please tell me how to "override" the sorting.

also....  some of these Trades are subs.  See picture.  Is there a way to keep this?  How, please tell me how i can accomplish this.

thank you in advance.

[HotChilli · Accepted solution]

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-query/add-index-column#:~:text=%20In%20this%20article%20%201%... 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/create-reports/desktop-sort-by-column#:~:text=1%20Sort%20b...

[HotChilli]

An Excel file has a specific order (based on row number).  PowerBi doesn't have a built-in order for data.  You can use alphabetic order in visuals OR make your own order using an Index column and 'sort by column' feature.

--

For sub-trades, you would have to add a column which indicates the parent.  You can do this in Power Query

[Anonymous]

thank you for your prompt response..... i dont want them to be in alphabetical order so im very interested when you say "make your own order using an Index column and 'sort by column' feature."  Can you explain how to do this from the excel file?  im new.... 🙂