KB16522: A user is not able to remove an attribute’s ID form from the advanced sorting drop down list in MicroStrategy Web 9.x

SYMPTOM:
When a user tries to remove an attribute's ID form from the 'Report objects' window for a report, the interface won't allow the user to do so and ultimately, the attribute's ID form is displayed in the drop down list within the advanced sort window in Strategy Web 9.x.
 
STEPS TO REPRODUCE:
Follow the steps below to reproduce this issue in the Strategy Tutorial project.
 

• Create a simple report with one attribute and one metric (e.g. the 'Category' attribute and the 'Revenue' metric).
• Run the report.
• Go to the 'Data' menu and select 'Sort', as shown below:
  

• In the 'Sort' window, click on the first drop down list and notice that the user can sort by both of the Category attribute's forms (ID and DESC), as shown below:
  

• Exit out of the advanced sorting window and switch the report to 'Edit' view.
• In the 'Report objects' window, expand the 'Category' attribute to display its forms.
• Right-click on the 'DESC' form and select 'Remove from Report', as shown below:
  

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  NOTE: The user must make sure that the only attribute form enabled for the report template is the ID form or else the interface won't allow the user to remove the DESC form, as it is part of the template.
  
   
  
  
• Run the report again.
• Go to the 'Data' menu and select 'Sort'.
• In the 'Advanced sorting' window, click on the first drop down list and notice that the user can only sort by the Category attribute itself, without specifying a form, as implicitly this sorting will be done by the Category attribute's ID form, as shown below:
  

• If the user tries to perform the opposite action, remove the ID form from the report and only leave the DESC form, the interface won't allow the user to do so and the following error message will be given:
  

• Therefore, the ID form is always present in the report and ultimately in the advanced sorting drop down list.
  
   
  
  

CAUSE:
This is working as designed. All attribute IDs are always part of the base report per design, so the sorting will also always include that attribute form as an option. An enhancement has been logged to be able to reduce the list of potential sorting criteria available for a user on a report, including the ability to remove an attribute's ID form.
 
ACTION:
This enhancement request was reviewed by our Technology team for feasibility and will not be scoped for a code fix in any upcoming Strategy release.