The sort order may be different in Excel 2003 compared to previous versions if the data is within a filtered list or pivot table

The sort order of a Microsoft Excel PivotTable or list may be different than previous versions. This may occur if the PivotTable or list is filtered.

This problem occurs if you sort your Excel 2003 PivotTable by using the advanced sort options.

This problem was first fixed in a hotfix that is now contained in a service pack. If you installed the latest Office 2003 service pack, you do not have to install the hotfix.

Service pack information

This problem is corrected in Office 2003 Service Pack 2.

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Office 2003. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

After you install the service pack, follow the steps that are listed in the "More Information" section to set the DisableAutoSortOptimization registry key and to enable the hotfix.

Hotfix information

How to obtain the hotfix

This issue is fixed in the Excel 2003 post-Service Pack 1 Hotfix Package that is dated September 3, 2004. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

After you install this hotfix, follow the steps that are listed in the "More Information" section to set the DisableAutoSortOptimization registry key and to enable the hotfix.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Office 2003 Service Pack 2.

Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To activate this hotfix, follow these steps:

1. Quit Excel 2003.
2. Click Start, and then click Run.
3. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
4. Locate and then click to select the following registry key:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Excel\Options
5. After you select the key that is specified in step 4, point to New on the Edit menu, and then click DWORD Value.
6. Type DisableAutoSortOptimization, and then press ENTER.
7. Right-click DisableAutoSortOptimization, and then click Modify.
8. In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.
9. On the File menu, click Exit to quit Registry Editor.

To sort your pivot table by using the advanced sort options, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the row or the column.
2. Click Field Settings, and then click Advanced.