Sort Measures and Dimensions

You can sort measures and dimensions in charts, or you can use Break Grouping to change how measures and dimensions are sorted in a chart with multiple dimensions on the categories axis.

You can specify the sort order for data in your chart for measures and dimensions: alphabetical ascending or descending, highest to lowest, and so on. You can even sort on multiple dimensions within the chart.

Note

While you can sort your data on multiple dimensions, you can't sort on dimensions and measures together, and you can only sort on one measure at a time.

Sometimes neither ascending or descending (or highest to lowest) sort will give you the results that you want.

Example

You have a chart that you would like to sort in the following way:

Very High
High
Medium
Low

Use Add Custom Order to rearrange the members as desired.

How to Sort Measures and Dimensions in a Chart

Create a sort in one of these ways:
- On a canvas page, select a chart and from the action menu () select Sort.
- On a grid page, in the Examine panel at the bottom of the page select (More), and then select Sort.
Select the measure or dimension you want to sort and then choose one of the following options:
- Direction: choose Ascending, Descending, Highest to Lowest, and so on.
- Add Custom Order: in the dialog box, rearrange the members into the desired order.
To sort on a measure that isn't included in the chart, select Advanced Sorting, and then choose a measure from the list.

How to Use Break Grouping in a Chart

When you have multiple dimensions on the categories axis, use Break Grouping to ignore the grouping order and change how the dimensions and measures are sorted.

The Break Grouping option is available to use on a multi-dimension chart if either a measure or the innermost dimension is sorted.

To enable or disable Break Grouping, from the chart action menu () select Start of the navigation path Sort Next navigation step Break Grouping End of the navigation path .

Example

You have a Profit and Loss model with the following measure and dimensions:

Type	Name
Dimension	Product
Dimension	Region
Measure	Income Statement

Sort on Product (A-Z) with the Break Grouping Option Disabled

Region	Product	Income Statement (millions)
New York State	Basics	0.63
New York State	Juices	16.97
New York State	Softdrinks	16.14
Ohio	Basics	0.06
Ohio	Juices	2.22
Ohio	Softdrinks	1.69
Pennsylvania	Basics	0.25
Pennsylvania	Juices	5.94
Pennsylvania	Softdrinks	7.24

Sort on Product (A-Z) with the Break Grouping Option Enabled

Region	Product	Income Statement (millions)
New York State	Basics	0.63
Ohio	Basics	0.06
Pennsylvania	Basics	0.25
New York State	Juices	16.97
Ohio	Juices	2.22
Pennsylvania	Juices	5.94
New York State	Softdrinks	16.14
Ohio	Softdrinks	1.69
Pennsylvania	Softdrinks	7.24