KB16665: Sorting specified in a Freeform SQL report is not being applied in MicroStrategy Developer 9.x and 10.x

SYMPTOM:
When specifying the sorting in the SQL used in a Freeform SQL report, the sorting is not applied when executing the report in Strategy Developer.
 
STEPS TO REPRODUCE:
Follow the steps below to reproduce this issue:
 

• Create a Freeform SQL report with the following SQL:
  select year_id from lu_year order by year_id desc;
  

• Run the report in Strategy Developer, as shown below:
  

•  
  Notice that Years are returned in ascending order.
   
  

CAUSE:
This behavior is working as designed. The Strategy Analytical Engine performs sorting per the report or project default settings on all data returned by the database for either regular or freeform SQL reports. This will override any sorting done in the SQL expression itself. There is an enhancement to support maintaining the original data sort in Strategy.
 
ACTION:
Contact Strategy Technical Support for an update on the status of this issue.
 
WORKAROUND:
The workaround is to use the report level sorting settings to apply the needed sorting to the report.