Sorting by Columns

Use

You can change the sequence of data records according to specific rules by sorting the ALV output. You specify which column includes the value that is to be sorted alphabetically or numerically, determining the sequence of all rows.

You are able to specify up to nine columns that can be used to sort the ALV output.

control level

Data records that have the same value in a sorted column for a control level. If this value changes in regard to the next data record, it is called a control level change.

You have various options to highlight a control level change.

Integration

The filter settings for a column are represented by an object of type CL_SALV_SORT. The total of all the filter objects is represented by an object of type CL_SALV_SORTS.

You are able to make calculations using the values of numeric columns. By default, all values of a column are used. If you need to calculate intermediate results in addition to the overall result, the rows that contain the subvalues of an intermediate result must be next to each other; you sort the list. You sort the ALV output. The sort is then a prerequisite for ALV being able to determine and display interim results.

Features

You can make the following settings for sorting:

Get Sort Objects
Create and Delete Sort Objects
Specify sort direction
Set Column Sequence of Sorting
Forbid Changes
Highlight Control Level Change

For all of the following functions, this is valid:

ALV Tool	Display type	Function available
Simple, two-dimensional table	Classic ABAP List	Yes
Fullscreen	Yes
In the Container	Yes
Hierarchical-sequential list	Classic ABAP List	Yes
Tree Structure	Fullscreen	No
In the Container	No

Get Sort Objects

In every main ALV class where sorting is possible, the GET_SORTS method exists. This method returns the sort objects for all columns in the ALV output (class CL_SALV_SORTS). Using this object with the methods GET or GET_SORT you get the sort object for the desired column.

Function	Class	Method
Get SORTS object	CL_SALV_TABLE CL_SALV_HIERSEQ_TABLE	GET_SORTS
Get all sort objects	CL_SALV_SORTS	GET
Get all sort objects for a hierarchy level	CL_SALV_HIERSEQ_LEVEL	GET_SORTS
Get a specific sort object	CL_SALV_SORTS	GET_SORT
Check whether a column is sorted (a sort object exists)	IS_SORT_DEFINED

Create and Delete Sort Objects

You are able to create a maximum of one sort object for a column You are able to sort the ALV output using up to nine columns.

You are able to delete sort objects either individually or all at once.

Function	Class	Method
Create sort object	CL_SALV_SORTS	ADD_SORT
Delete individual sort object	REMOVE_SORT
Delete all sort objects	CLEAR

Note

If you assign a new data table with a new structure to your ALV output, all aggregation objects will be deleted automatically.

Specify sort direction

For each individual sort object, you are able to determine whether you want to sort the column ascending (for example a, b, c ) or descending (for example c, b, a ): You set the sort direction. You determine the sort direction.

Function	Class	Method
Specify sort direction	CL_SALV_SORTS	ADD_SORT (Parameter SEQUENCE)
CL_SALV_SORT	SET_SEQUENCE
Get sort direction	CL_SALV_SORT	GET_SEQUENCE

Set Column Sequence of Sorting

If you sort the ALV output by multiple columns, the result changes depending on the sequence of columns that is used to sort.

By default, the columns are sorted in the sequence in which you generated your sort objects. You can change this sequence.

Function	Class	Method
Change column sequence of sorting	CL_SALV_SORTS	ADD_SORT (Parameter POSITION)
SET_POSITION

Forbid Changes

By default, the user can change sort settings that you have specified using the application. However, you are able to expressly forbid this.

Function	Class	Method
Forbid changes to sort object	CL_SALV_SORTS	ADD_SORT (Parameter OBLIGATORY)
CL_SALV_SORT	SET_OBLIGATORY
Check whether user is able to make changes to the sort object	CL_SALV_SORT	IS_OBLIGATORY

Highlight Control Level Change

If a value changes in a sorted column between two data records, this is called a control level change. You are able to highlight the control level change in two ways:

You separate the group levels with a horizontal line.
You start a new page for each control level.

Prerequisites

You have activated grouping of the ALV output.

Function	Class	Method
Activate grouping of the ALV output	CL_SALV_SORTS	SET_GROUP_ACTIVE
Check whether grouping of the ALV output has been activated.	IS_GROUP_ACTIVE
Set display of control level change	ADD_SORT (Parameter GROUP)
CL_SALV_SORT	SET_GROUP
Get display of the control level change	GET_GROUP