Expression in RDLC row group to sort on other field

Question

Expression in RDLC row group to sort on other field

Hugh Self Taught 106

Hi Gurus, I have a rdlc report that has a group on one of the fields. I pass a parameter to the report which is used to specify sorting on another field but keeping the current grouping. Under Group Properties> Sorting I entered the following expression but I can't figure out how to have a secondary sort on another field at the same time.

=switch(Parameters!SortVal.Value = 3,Fields!CoupleNumber.Value,Parameters!SortVal.Value = 2,Fields!M_Fname.Value,Parameters!SortVal.Value = 4,Fields!M_Sname.Value,Parameters!SortVal.Value = 1,Fields!F_Fname.Value,Parameters!SortVal.Value = 5,Fields!F_Sname.Value)

I can't find any reference anywhere that'll allow me to do that. For example I'd like to have

Parameters!SortVal.Value = 2,Fields!M_Fname.Value and Fields!F_Fname.Value. Is this possible?

Hugh Self Taught 106 Reputation points

2025-06-10T15:53:26.0933333+00:00

I found a partial solution but it's not fully what I want to achieve.

"Parameters!SortVal.Value = 2,Fields!M_Fname.Value + Fields!F_Fname.Value"

This sorts columns M_Fname & F_Fname as though they were one column so still looking for a correct solution

1 answer

Your answer

Hugh Self Taught 106 Reputation points

2025-06-10T15:53:26.0933333+00:00

I found a partial solution but it's not fully what I want to achieve.

"Parameters!SortVal.Value = 2,Fields!M_Fname.Value + Fields!F_Fname.Value"

This sorts columns M_Fname & F_Fname as though they were one column so still looking for a correct solution

Answer 1

Varsha Dundigalla(INFOSYS LIMITED) 3,725 Microsoft External Staff

Thank you for reaching out.

Your observation is correct: concatenating M_Fname and F_Fname only creates a single composite key, so the report sorts them as one combined string. That’s why it doesn’t behave like a true “primary then secondary” sort.

The proper way in RDLC is to use multiple sort entries in the group’s Sorting settings. Keep your parameter-driven expression as the first sort (primary), then add another entry for the secondary field. This ensures the engine applies them in sequence first by the chosen field, then by the tiebreaker while preserving the current grouping. You can even add a third key (like an ID) for stability if needed.

Concatenation is a partial workaround, but multiple sort rows are the intended solution for predictable multi-level sorting.

Please let us know if you require any further assistance, we’re happy to help.

If you found this information useful, kindly mark this as "Accept Answer".

Varsha Dundigalla(INFOSYS LIMITED) 3,725 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-11-18T15:56:32.2933333+00:00

Hope you're doing well. Could you please let us know if the issue still persists or if it has been resolved? If everything is working fine now, we’d appreciate it if you could mark the response as answered. We’re planning to close the thread by 19 November, so we are hoping for your reply before that.
Hugh Self Taught 106 Reputation points

2025-11-18T19:42:06.7433333+00:00

Hi, I haven't had a chance to test your answer. I should get an opportunity tomorrow
Varsha Dundigalla(INFOSYS LIMITED) 3,725 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-11-21T10:46:23.6866667+00:00

Hope you're doing well. Could you please let us know if the issue still persists or if it has been resolved? If everything is working fine now, we’d appreciate it if you could mark the response as answered. We’re planning to close the thread by 23 November, so we are hoping for your reply before that.
Varsha Dundigalla(INFOSYS LIMITED) 3,725 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-11-24T14:51:32.87+00:00

As we haven’t received any further updates or follow-up on this thread, it has now been closed. If you need additional assistance or have new information to share, please feel free to post a new thread. We’ll be happy to support you further as needed.

Share via

Expression in RDLC row group to sort on other field

1 answer

Your answer