modifier keys for multicolumn sort

[qwesda]

While I like the ability to use multicolumn sorting, it trips me up a lot because it usually is not what I want.

Maybe it could be invoked by option-clicking a column?

[jakob]

I did not want to use a modifier key because that is hard to discover, but I agree that it is a bit annoying if you are used to the way it worked before.

Currently, clicking a column that is not sorted adds an additional sort column (lowest priority).

What do you think if clicking a column would always make it the primary sort column? Then the multi-column sort would still be discoverable, but for the most part it would work the same as it does now. Unexpected secondary sort columns shouldn't make much of a difference...

[qwesda]

hmmm, if I really want to use multicolumn sort then my mental model would always be highes to lowest order (i.e. the current mode).

Maybe keep the default like this, but add a setting for the sorting behaviour with:

a) multicolumn sort highes to lowest (cmd-click single column sort) b) multicolumn sort lowest to highes (cmd-click single column sort) c) single column sort (cmd-click multicolumn sort highes to lowest)

How many people use the dev builds? Have you heard from others about this?

[qwesda]

fyi, I very much like the NULLS first/last options in the context menu and the copy column values

[jakob]

hmmm, if I really want to use multicolumn sort then my mental model would always be highes to lowest order (i.e. the current mode).

Yes, I agree. Maybe a modifier is the better choice.

I don't really want to add a setting for the way the sorting works, because I think this is hard to understand.

How many people use the dev builds? Have you heard from others about this?

From server logs I estimate that about ~1500 people are using dev build 9666 or newer, but unless something is horribly broken I get very little feedback. And even if something is horribly broken I get very little feedback. I assume that most people don't think their feedback matters. But it does! That's also why Postico has automatic crash reporting. Nobody ever told me when Postico crashed...

Anyway, I think you are the first person to complain about the new sorting behaviour, and I think I agree with you. I'll revert the default to the behaviour it had before, and require a modifier key if you want to multi-sort.

Then I just need to figure out a way to make the feature discoverable. Maybe I can add a hint in the context menu to "hold ⌥ for multisort" or something like this.

[qwesda]

1.5K is not nothing, but I also see that filing an issue is a pretty high bar.

Anyways: hint in context menu might be ok even though it will be a bit awkward. Sounds like a really annoying UI problem, that makes me glad that I mostly work on databases!

There are some apps that do have a nice changes/new features screen when new versions are installed. Maybe something like this could work. But it should probably be reserved for important features and be kept relatively small with a link to the changelogs for more details.

[jakob]

A second customer complained about the new sort behavior :)

I changed it so that you need to press option to sort by multiple columns. And I added a note to the popup menu. And you can now add sort columns with the "sort priority" submenu.

I'm sure the note in the popup menu goes against all platform conventions, but I really want people to learn about this feature when they need it, and that context menu is where they are most likely to look.

(Maybe I'll add a separate UI for it as suggested in #137, then I can remove the note)