Subject: Request to Increase Sort Criteria Limit in Calc (Currently Hard‑Coded to 3)

[Darkwolf <wo...@gmail.com>]

To the Apache OpenOffice Development Team,
I am writing to request an update to a long‑standing limitation in OpenOffice Calc: the maximum number of sort criteria is restricted to three. This limitation significantly impacts users who work with large, structured datasets that require deeper multi‑level sorting.
Modern workflows—especially those involving product catalogs, inventory systems, authentication databases, and multi‑tier classification—often require 5 to 10 sort levels to maintain proper hierarchy and data integrity. Competing spreadsheet programs have already expanded beyond this limit, and Calc’s restriction creates unnecessary bottlenecks for users who rely on OpenOffice for professional‑grade data management.
This is not a cosmetic request. The current 3‑level cap:

  *
Forces users into inefficient multi‑pass sorting
  *
Introduces risk of human error
  *
Prevents accurate hierarchical organization
  *
Requires workaround “helper columns” that complicate spreadsheets
  *
Limits Calc’s usefulness for advanced or large‑scale data operations

I am requesting that the development team consider increasing the sort criteria limit from 3 to at least 10, or ideally removing the cap entirely. This enhancement would dramatically improve Calc’s functionality and bring it in line with modern expectations for spreadsheet software.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope this important usability improvement can be prioritized in a future release.
Sincerely, A concerned OpenOffice Calc user

Re: Subject: Request to Increase Sort Criteria Limit in Calc (Currently Hard‑Coded to 3)

[Pe...@apache.org]

Hi Darkwolf,

i think these topics are better discussed on Dev 
(dev@openoffice.apache.org).

this is bug https://bz.apache.org/ooo/show_bug.cgi?id=10933 which is 
accepted. So maybe we can put this on a roadmap i try to form.

here is the quick overview:

Fixing blockers in 4.2. I think most of them are regressions. one is 
pretty critical, we need a ci/cd process to get translation process back 
into a workable state.

we hope that we get then 4.3 a windows 64bit version.

Currently planned bugs without blocker state will be moved to 4.3    or 
4.4 depending if we get someone to fix them.

After that the current plan is to move to 5 and to push for a mac 
silicon build.

The silicon build has some criticality since Apple retires Rosetta next 
year.

besides on the code work we have infrastructure work:

- translation process ci/cd ( talked above in 4.2)

- renual of extension and template site.

- update of mwiki is still open.

A  In this environment your request needs to fit.

Apache OpenOffice is a pure voluntary project. Help is always 
appreciated, and currently there are only a view pro bono volunteers.

  Of course you can use alternatives. It is your choice. Wikipedia has a 
nice list if you want to explore options.

So this is the current situation. Everyone is welcomed to join.

I can try to raise the number if that would help a bid, that sounds like 
something that can be quickly integrated.

all the best

peter

Am 21.02.2026 um 05:53 schrieb Darkwolf:
> To the Apache OpenOffice Development Team,
> I am writing to request an update to a long‑standing limitation in OpenOffice Calc: the maximum number of sort criteria is restricted to three. This limitation significantly impacts users who work with large, structured datasets that require deeper multi‑level sorting.
> Modern workflows—especially those involving product catalogs, inventory systems, authentication databases, and multi‑tier classification—often require 5 to 10 sort levels to maintain proper hierarchy and data integrity. Competing spreadsheet programs have already expanded beyond this limit, and Calc’s restriction creates unnecessary bottlenecks for users who rely on OpenOffice for professional‑grade data management.
> This is not a cosmetic request. The current 3‑level cap:
>
>    *
> Forces users into inefficient multi‑pass sorting
>    *
> Introduces risk of human error
>    *
> Prevents accurate hierarchical organization
>    *
> Requires workaround “helper columns” that complicate spreadsheets
>    *
> Limits Calc’s usefulness for advanced or large‑scale data operations
>
> I am requesting that the development team consider increasing the sort criteria limit from 3 to at least 10, or ideally removing the cap entirely. This enhancement would dramatically improve Calc’s functionality and bring it in line with modern expectations for spreadsheet software.
> Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope this important usability improvement can be prioritized in a future release.
> Sincerely, A concerned OpenOffice Calc user
>

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Re: Subject: Request to Increase Sort Criteria Limit in Calc (Currently Hard‑Coded to 3)

[Regina Henschel <rb...@t-online.de>]

Hi,

Darkwolf schrieb am 21.02.2026 um 05:53:
> To the Apache OpenOffice Development Team,
> I am writing to request an update to a long‑standing limitation in OpenOffice Calc: the maximum number of sort criteria is restricted to three. This limitation significantly impacts users who work with large, structured datasets that require deeper multi‑level sorting.

You can use LibreOffice instead.

I don't know whether increasing the default in
    #define MAXSORT		3
in 
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/apache/openoffice/refs/heads/trunk/main/sc/inc/sortparam.hxx

would be possible and I have no build environment to test it.


Kind regards,
Regina

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