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
