Wiki Page for SORTBY function

I have started a Wiki page for the SORTBY function: Documentation/Calc Functions/SORTBY - The Document Foundation Wiki

Problem: I have no good idea for the name of the parameters. As the ODF standard is not ready for SORTBY, that cannot work as template. So please decide about the names.

Do you want further examples?

Hi @Regina

Let’s use either the names used in the Help (but why not use the names ofr the ODF-TC proposal (4158)?)

And yes, please, more examples is never bad, I think.

Cheers
Olivier

I think that “Range” in the help is not good. In my understanding “Range” is an area of cells, e.g. given by a range address like C4:K9. But the value of a parameter may be result of a function and thus has no associated area of cells. Therefore, I would like to choose DataSource for the first parameter, without the underscore that is customary in the ODF specification.

Similar with the second parameter. Here too a function result is possible or an inline array. However, the term ‘array’ is not special enough. It is an one-dimensional array. Thus SortVector might be more precise?

The third parameter ‘SordOrder’ is OK for me. But how to write the enumeration? Especially in forth item in section ‘Arguments:’ ?

Do you have special topics in mind?

Hi Regina

I fully agree on the strictness of ODF terminology, however my experience as instructor tells me that range and array are much more popular among spreadsheet average users.

These users will see a rectangular selection of cells, very few will bind it to a data source.

MS Excel uses “popular” terminology for SORTBY

The interface and the corresponding Help page must be in synch, if a change is to be made.

Now… this terminology discussion is important if we take it as a guideline for Calc functions description: Shall LibreOffice use ODF terminology or the popular Excel terminology? . Historically, Calc borrowed Excel terminology most of the time.

Cheers
Olivier

OK, let’s use the terminology of the help here. But the help has problems:

  • The terms “Range” and “Array” as parameters are mixed: You will find “Array” e.g. in CHOOSECOLS, HLOOKUP and “Range” in e.g. FILTER, COUNTIFS, although it is in content the same.
  • The sign ... is used differently. COUNTIFS, SUM (for example) have it in the middle and end enumeration with the maximal possible parameter count, SORTBY, CHOOSECOLS (for example) have it at the end without mentioning the maximal parameter count at all.
  • For SORTBY the parameter “SortOrder” is optional, but not written as optional in the syntax.

MS Excel help is neither consequent. I see “vector” in WRAPCOLS, “range” in AVERAGEIFS, “array” in SORTBY.