Anonymous wrote:I am using appleworks data base to track my stamp collection. As of the last few days I have not been able to sort the data base in alphabetical order. There are about 12570 entries in the data base. Hope you can help
I would start by deleting AppleWorks's preferences files and Caches.
There are five of these, one of which (button bar prefs) may be kept IF you have made changes to the Button Bar AND have had no problems with the Button Bar.
Four of the files are located at [i]yourname[/] > Library > Preferences > AppleWorks 6. Open the folder and Trash both cache files and one or both preferences files.
The fifth is in the Preferences folder, but outside the AppleWorks 6 folder. Look for and trash the file com.apple.appleworks.plist.
AppleWorks will build new, clean prefs files as it needs them.
If this does not solve the problem, it may indicate corruption in the database file itself. SOME corrupted db files can be cured by the following procedure (although I don't recall this having been recommended for a 'can't sort' problem).
Open the file.
Go File > Save as...
Choose Save as: AppleWorks 5
Revise the file's name to avoid overwriting the original.
Save.
Close the original.
Open the copy you just saved.
Check to see if the problem is solved.
If it is, Save (as AppleWorks, using the original name) to replace the original.
Continue, using the new file.
Regards,
Barry