Is there any quick way to get the output of the User Defined Format from a List report (under Labels and Letters) to sort alphabetically by last name after it's been saved to excel format? Or am I forced to write a quick report in SSRS that simply incorporates the sort_name field from T_CUSTOMER?
And please don't invoke the dreaded INFOMAKER...(cue Wilhelm scream)
I added the T_CUSTOMER.sort_name column as a query element. You can build a query easily that gives you the fields you need. Let me know if you need more information, and I’ll spell it out.
Lucie
_____________________________Lucie SpielerIT Development and Training Manager
Editor, Season Program BookFLORIDA GRAND opera
Thank you, this sounds intriguing. Spell away.
Matt Gonzales
Database Administrator
Houston Grand Opera
510 Preston St | Suite 500, 5th Floor
(v) 713-980-8702 | (f) 713-225-2574
From: Tessitura Next Generation Forum [mailto:forums-nextgeneration@tessituranetwork.com] On Behalf Of Lucie SpielerSent: Thursday, September 27, 2012 3:25 PMTo: Matt GonzalesSubject: RE: [Tessitura Next Generation Forum] Sad Sorting Situations
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Go to the TR_QUERY_ELEMENT system table. Add a row:
Description = Customer_sort_name
Category = Constituent
Data Select = sort_name
Data From = Customer
Data Where = [blank]
Control Group = (Default Control Group)
Single Row = [checked box]
Primary Group Default = [unchecked box]
This gives you the element that sorts by last name the way it appears in the header.
Go to Tools and select Output Set Builder. Choose New Set from the buttons at the bottom of the screen.
Here’s what I’ve added to my query, in the order I have them:
From the Constituent folder:
Salutation_outside_line1
Salutation_outside_line2
Salutation_business_title
From the Address Information folder:
Address_street3
Address_street2
Address_street1
Address_city
Address_state
Address_postal_code
Address_country_desc
From the Constitutent folder:
Salutation_inside
Salutation_sal_type
Customer_sort_name
I used to have Customer_lname and Customer_fname, but I don’t think that’s useful anymore. I’ve named my query the eloquent “Mailing-Inside Sal-Sort Name.”
The nice thing about queries is that you can put in what you want, in the order you want them, and they pull that way when you run reports or extractions using them. You get to pick mailing date, mailing purpose, and salutation, just as in User Defined Output from a List. You just can’t have your results auto-sort in various ways.
The only gotcha about using sort name is that deceased people don’t have one—although, for me, that’s actually a plus. If I am running a mailing list, this gives me a quick and easy way to catch patrons who should not be there, because they will be at the top of my list, out of alpha order, when I sort.
Correction to the query element setup:
Data Select = !.sort_name
Data From = T_CUSTOMER
Explanation: I had followed other elements set up using information from T_CUSTOMER, and tried the sort_name/Customer settings, which worked when running output sets via Reports. Extractions using those output sets, however, didn't work.
Note to Ryan Creps: shouldn't sort_name be added to the data constellation that is Customer?
From: Lucie Spieler <bounce-luciespieler8144@tessituranetwork.com>Sent: 9/27/2012 4:45:14 PM