Hi All,
I have query regarding the sorting of the objects on the universe side.
Is it possible to sort the objects in the universe alphabetically?
If yes, please let me know how can I achieve it.
We are using BO XI R2.
TIA
princeamit (BOB member since 2008-07-31)
Generally, no. There is a way to get the default objects that are created when you do a “drag and drop” of a table (from right to left) to be in alphabetical order, but that’s it.
In any case, it’s not really considered best practice in universe design. To make the universe as user friendly as possible, objects should be grouped and ordered in business terms … keys / most used at the top, maybe dates together, etc.
Dwayne Hoffpauir 
(BOB member since 2002-09-19)
Hello Dwayne,
Whats the way by which we can sort objects alphabetically when you do a “drag and drop” of a table ?
Is it by having the columns in the table in the alphabetical order?
Would appreciate if you could share.
MJ
MJ8118 (BOB member since 2006-10-05)
It’s the COLUMN_SORT parameter in the universe (Universe Parameters, Parameter tab) … Yes = alphabetical, No = database order. And actually it controls the order that the fields display when adding the table to the structure pane (right hand side). From there, the “drag and drop” will create the objects in the same order.
I know what you are thinking. It’s already too late, my columns are listed in database order! Well, there is a technique that can change those. A bit of a hack, but works well … find it here.
Dwayne Hoffpauir (BOB member since 2002-09-19)
Hi Dwayne,
Exactly this was the issue, I am not creating a new universe.
Although I am not that comfortable with the VBA, still will give it a try, and will revert.
Column_Sort was a useful piece of information as well, I was unaware of this.
Is there an issue with simple draging/droping of objects ( or subclasses for that matter) at the left pane of the designer to sort them? I mean suppose I have limited number of objects in a class, which I can sort manually, and say I have a Customer class with the following objects in the below order:
Address
Customer ID
Bank Account
So I tried draging ‘Bank Account’ to drop it between Address and Customer Id, and it seems to have worked, I know its a lot of manual work but is there an issue with the approach?
Many thanks for your inputs.
MJ
MJ8118 (BOB member since 2006-10-05)
No issue at all. Actually, that is the most common approach. Unless you are very lucky to have designed the database table in the first place, it is highly unlikely it was designed with “usability order” in mind. Dragging and dropping to get objects in “usable” order is essentially best practice.
Dwayne Hoffpauir (BOB member since 2002-09-19)
Thanks Dwayne.
So the VBA code/Column Sort are just to automate the sorting in a way and to eradicate manual sorting ( dragging/dropping) incase of large number of classes/objects in a universe ?
Thanks again for your inputs…much appreciated.
MJ
MJ8118 (BOB member since 2006-10-05)
The VBA code will cause the tables (listed on the right-hand side) to pick up the current COLUMN_SORT setting. Then if you drag and drop the table (from right to left), the default objects will be sorted in the same order as shown in the table. This technique will NOT change the order of any objects ALREADY existing (on the left hand side) in the universe.
Dwayne Hoffpauir (BOB member since 2002-09-19)
Dwayne ,
Finally would appreciate if you could confirm my understanding:
The only way by which ALREADY existing classes/objects can be sorted is by dragging/dropping on the left pane of the designer ?
Thank you.
MJ
MJ8118 (BOB member since 2006-10-05)
Correct 
Dwayne Hoffpauir (BOB member since 2002-09-19)