RP003

Sorting can be hierarchical or non-hierarchical.

By default, sorting is hierarchical. First, the elements at each level of the hierarchy are ordered. Then the levels are ordered. So, the result contains multiple highest and lowest values - one highest and one lowest value at each level of the hierarchy.

If you use the Break Hierarchy option, the elements are sorted non-hierarchically. That is, the result contains one highest value and one lowest value.

Report RP003 contains three main hyperblocks created from the Product hierarchy of the Analysis cube of the Samples application. Each hyperblock displays the elements at the lowest level of the hierarchy. This was achieved by clicking the border of each hyperblock in Design mode and selecting Select Level > Size in the tool bar of the Structure Selection pane of the List Designer. In addition, there is a Detail hyperblock which displays a subset of the second hyperblock.

The value cell of each hyperblock contains the same formula.

The elements and values displayed in the first hyperblock are unsorted.

The elements of the second hyperblock are sorted in descending order. This is not apparent because the elements are sorted by reference to their parent elements, and those parent elements are not displayed. But the Detail hyperblock displays one of the parent elements (S8000 Energy) and its children, sorted in descending order.

The elements of the third hyperblock are also sorted in descending order but the Break Hierarchy option has been selected. The values of the elements are ordered in true descending order, without reference to the position of the elements in the hierarchy.

The S28000/245 element has the highest value at the level of the hierarchy to which it belongs, but is below the median value of the hierarchy as a whole. The value of the S8000/205 element is the lowest, not only of its level, but of the hierarchy as a whole.

To demonstrate the effect of the Break Hierarchy option.

  1. In Design mode, click the border of the third hyperblock.
  2. In the List Designer, click the Sorting pane.
    If the List Designer is not enabled, press F12.

    The Sorting pane displays Value of data area descending.

  3. In the tool bar of the Sorting pane, a blue border around the Break Hierarchy button indicates that it is selected.
  4. Click Break Hierarchy.
    The Break Hierarchy option is deselected.
  5. Click Apply changes to the list in the tool bar of the List Designer.
  6. View the report in View mode.
    The order of the elements is the same as in the second hyperblock.