Column indentation and sorting in a list report

[okh310]

Hello - I have a list report with a column for task names.  These task names have a WBS number that can be 1, 1.1, 1.1.3 etc.

1=level 1
1.1=level 2
1.1.2=level 3 etc.

I want the task name column to indent based on the level.  I can manually code this with an if then statement and adding spaces in front of the task name.  However, when I go to sort the column, it picks up the spaces in front of the task name so it doesn't sort correctly.

Is anyone aware of a way to do this and get the sorting to work properly?  Is there built in functionality I'm missing?  I know you can do this easily in a crosstab, but not a list report.

Thanks,

[Michael75]

Include both your task name (unedited) AND your task name with leading spaces in your list. Do your sorting on the former, then Cut (not Delete) it from the layout.

[okh310]

Thanks Michael, great idea and works!

Another user suggested the following which also works:

Change your "WBS number" back to the column value, no expression. Now select that data item on the list. Under properties, under Text Source, change Source Type to Report Expression. Put your if or case to add spaces in the expression editor, click OK. Run the report.

[Michael75]

You're welcome.   ;D

Normally, double-posting on different boards in Cognoise is frowned upon, but today's your lucky day. Not only have you escaped a slap on the wrist, but you've received two working solutions to your problem :)

[okh310]

I noticed that I posted in QS at first and I couldn't figure out how to delete it and repost it in RS.  So I posted twice.  My apologies and thanks again for the suggestion :)

[Cheeks100]

Hi I am working with a relational DB with a WBS as above.  I only have costs at the lowest level of the WBS leg.  I want to sum this up through the heirarchy.

Anybody any ideas how to do this.  There is a parent / child heir achy table for the WBS.

Any help would be much appreciated

[dougp]

You can also create a depth column (by counting the periods in the WBS number?) and use conditional formatting applying a value for padding or margin.  But that may be tedious to set up, especially if you don't know what the maximum depth may be.  (It doesn't look like the property values  can be parameterized.)