[RESOLVED] Sorting Var Char Numerically

[jenni]

I know that it is a longshot, but I have a field for 3rd party order numbers that must be var char because the venders have different formats for their order numbers. Obviously, they are currently sorted alphabetically.

929262
9300
BKD7865
DM14-O-8092349
DM14-O-8118720
DM14-O-816295
DM14-O-82078

I am getting pressure from the order management team to sort these numerically.

9300
929262
BKD7865
DM14-O-82078
DM14-O-816295
DM14-O-8092349
DM14-O-8118720

I am using mySQL and I cannot output it to PHP first. It must be through SQL. Is this possible?

[jheitz]

Yes, it is. Assuming your table name is TEST and the column name is ColumnA, you should do:

select * from TESTorder by length(ColumnA), ColumnA

[jenni]

jheitz, thank you for your response. I think it will work just fine. Good idea. :-)

[jheitz]

Pleasure