Absolute Value via Query

See Query for links to other tips and techniques we can use in Query.

Sometimes we may wish to sort values by their absolute value, as opposed to biggest minus at one end and biggest positive at the other end of the report or inquiry.

Square the field that you want sorted on its absolute value.

You must select this squared result to sort on it, however you probably not want to include it in the report, instead you probably want the original field, which you can print with or without the sign.

In the column descriptions, set the header to *NONE, the width of the field and spacing to 0 (ZERO).