How to fix the Runtime Code 2181 You can't sort on a calculated field in a form

Symptoms of Code 2181 - You can't sort on a calculated field in a form

Runtime errors happen without warning. The error message can come up the screen anytime Microsoft Access is run. In fact, the error message or some other dialogue box can come up again and again if not addressed early on.

There may be instances of files deletion or new files appearing. Though this symptom is largely due to virus infection, it can be attributed as a symptom for runtime error, as virus infection is one of the causes for runtime error. User may also experience a sudden drop in internet connection speed, yet again, this is not always the case.

(For illustrative purposes only)

Causes of You can't sort on a calculated field in a form - Code 2181

During software design, programmers code anticipating the occurrence of errors. However, there are no perfect designs, as errors can be expected even with the best program design. Glitches can happen during runtime if a certain error is not experienced and addressed during design and testing.

Runtime errors are generally caused by incompatible programs running at the same time. It may also occur because of memory problem, a bad graphics driver or virus infection. Whatever the case may be, the problem must be resolved immediately to avoid further problems. Here are ways to remedy the error.

Repair Methods

Runtime errors may be annoying and persistent, but it is not totally hopeless, repairs are available. Here are ways to do it.

If a repair method works for you, please click the upvote button to the left of the answer, this will let other users know which repair method is currently working the best.

Please note: Neither ErrorVault.com nor it's writers claim responsibility for the results of the actions taken from employing any of the repair methods listed on this page - you complete these steps at your own risk.

Method 1 - Close Conflicting Programs

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When you get a runtime error, keep in mind that it is happening due to programs that are conflicting with each other. The first thing you can do to resolve the problem is to stop these conflicting programs.

• Open Task Manager by clicking Ctrl-Alt-Del at the same time. This will let you see the list of programs currently running.
• Go to the Processes tab and stop the programs one by one by highlighting each program and clicking the End Process buttom.
• You will need to observe if the error message will reoccur each time you stop a process.
• Once you get to identify which program is causing the error, you may go ahead with the next troubleshooting step, reinstalling the application.

Method 2 - Update / Reinstall Conflicting Programs

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Using Control Panel

• For Windows 7, click the Start Button, then click Control panel, then Uninstall a program
• For Windows 8, click the Start Button, then scroll down and click More Settings, then click Control panel > Uninstall a program.
• For Windows 10, just type Control Panel on the search box and click the result, then click Uninstall a program
• Once inside Programs and Features, click the problem program and click Update or Uninstall.
• If you chose to update, then you will just need to follow the prompt to complete the process, however if you chose to Uninstall, you will follow the prompt to uninstall and then re-download or use the application's installation disk to reinstall the program.

Using Other Methods

• For Windows 7, you may find the list of all installed programs when you click Start and scroll your mouse over the list that appear on the tab. You may see on that list utility for uninstalling the program. You may go ahead and uninstall using utilities available in this tab.
• For Windows 10, you may click Start, then Settings, then choose Apps.
• Scroll down to see the list of Apps and features installed in your computer.
• Click the Program which is causing the runtime error, then you may choose to uninstall or click Advanced options to reset the application.

Method 3 - Update your Virus protection program or download and install the latest Windows Update

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Virus infection causing runtime error on your computer must immediately be prevented, quarantined or deleted. Make sure you update your virus program and run a thorough scan of the computer or, run Windows update so you can get the latest virus definition and fix.

Method 4 - Re-install Runtime Libraries

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You might be getting the error because of an update, like the MS Visual C++ package which might not be installed properly or completely. What you can do then is to uninstall the current package and install a fresh copy.

• Uninstall the package by going to Programs and Features, find and highlight the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package.
• Click Uninstall on top of the list, and when it is done, reboot your computer.
• Download the latest redistributable package from Microsoft then install it.

Method 5 - Run Disk Cleanup

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You might also be experiencing runtime error because of a very low free space on your computer.

• You should consider backing up your files and freeing up space on your hard drive
• You can also clear your cache and reboot your computer
• You can also run Disk Cleanup, open your explorer window and right click your main directory (this is usually C: )
• Click Properties and then click Disk Cleanup

Method 6 - Reinstall Your Graphics Driver

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If the error is related to a bad graphics driver, then you may do the following:

• Open your Device Manager, locate the graphics driver
• Right click the video card driver then click uninstall, then restart your computer

Method 7 - IE related Runtime Error

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If the error you are getting is related to the Internet Explorer, you may do the following:

1. Reset your browser.
• For Windows 7, you may click Start, go to Control Panel, then click Internet Options on the left side. Then you can click Advanced tab then click the Reset button.
• For Windows 8 and 10, you may click search and type Internet Options, then go to Advanced tab and click Reset.
2. Disable script debugging and error notifications.
• On the same Internet Options window, you may go to Advanced tab and look for Disable script debugging
• Put a check mark on the radio button
• At the same time, uncheck the "Display a Notification about every Script Error" item and then click Apply and OK, then reboot your computer.

If these quick fixes do not work, you can always backup files and run repair reinstall on your computer. However, you can do that later when the solutions listed here did not do the job.

Other languages:

Wie beheben Fehler 2181 (Sie können nicht nach einem berechneten Feld in einem Formular sortieren) - Sie können nicht nach einem berechneten Feld in einem Formular sortieren.@Sie können nur nach einem berechneten Feld in einer Abfrage sortieren.@Erstellen Sie ein berechnetes Feld in einer Abfrage, sortieren Sie das Feld und basieren Sie dann das Formular auf der Abfrage Abfrage muss ausgeführt werden, bevor das Formular geöffnet wird, das Formular wird
Come fissare Errore 2181 (Non puoi ordinare su un campo calcolato in un modulo) - Non è possibile ordinare in base a un campo calcolato in un modulo.@È possibile ordinare in base a un campo calcolato solo in una query.@Creare un campo calcolato in una query, ordinare il campo e quindi basare il modulo sulla query. la query deve essere eseguita prima che il modulo si apra, il modulo wi
Hoe maak je Fout 2181 (U kunt niet sorteren op een berekend veld in een formulier) - U kunt niet sorteren op een berekend veld in een formulier.@U kunt alleen in een query op een berekend veld sorteren.@Maak een berekend veld in een query, sorteer het veld en baseer het formulier vervolgens op de query.Omdat de query moet worden uitgevoerd voordat het formulier wordt geopend, het formulier
Comment réparer Erreur 2181 (Vous ne pouvez pas trier sur un champ calculé dans un formulaire) - Vous ne pouvez pas trier sur un champ calculé dans un formulaire.@Vous ne pouvez trier sur un champ calculé que dans une requête.@Créez un champ calculé dans une requête, triez le champ, puis basez le formulaire sur la requête.Parce que le requête doit s'exécuter avant l'ouverture du formulaire, le formulaire wi
어떻게 고치는 지 오류 2181 (양식에서 계산된 필드를 정렬할 수 없습니다.) - 양식의 계산된 필드에서는 정렬할 수 없습니다.@쿼리에서만 계산된 필드를 정렬할 수 있습니다.@쿼리에서 계산된 필드를 만들고 필드를 정렬한 다음 쿼리를 기반으로 양식을 작성합니다. 쿼리는 양식이 열리기 전에 실행되어야 하며 양식 wi
Como corrigir o Erro 2181 (Você não pode classificar em um campo calculado em um formulário) - Você não pode classificar em um campo calculado em um formulário. @ Você pode classificar em um campo calculado apenas em uma consulta. @ Crie um campo calculado em uma consulta, classifique o campo e, em seguida, baseie o formulário na consulta. a consulta deve ser executada antes que o formulário seja aberto, o formulário será
Hur man åtgärdar Fel 2181 (Du kan inte sortera på ett beräknat fält i ett formulär) - Du kan inte sortera på ett beräknat fält i ett formulär.@Du kan bara sortera på ett beräknat fält i en fråga.@Skapa ett beräknat fält i en fråga, sortera fältet och basera sedan formuläret på frågan. frågan måste köras innan formuläret öppnas, formuläret wi
Как исправить Ошибка 2181 (Вы не можете сортировать по вычисляемому полю в форме) - Вы не можете сортировать по вычисляемому полю в форме. @ Вы можете сортировать по вычисляемому полю только в запросе. @ Создайте вычисляемое поле в запросе, отсортируйте поле, а затем создайте форму на основе запроса. запрос должен быть выполнен до открытия формы, форма wi
Jak naprawić Błąd 2181 (Nie możesz sortować według pola obliczeniowego w formularzu) - Nie możesz sortować według pola obliczeniowego w formularzu.@Możesz sortować według pola obliczeniowego tylko w zapytaniu.@Utwórz pole obliczeniowe w zapytaniu, posortuj pole, a następnie oprzyj formularz na zapytaniu.Ponieważ zapytanie musi zostać wykonane przed otwarciem formularza, formularz wi
Cómo arreglar Error 2181 (No puede ordenar por un campo calculado en un formulario) - No puede ordenar en un campo calculado en un formulario. @ Puede ordenar en un campo calculado solo en una consulta. @ Cree un campo calculado en una consulta, ordene el campo y luego base el formulario en la consulta. la consulta debe ejecutarse antes de que se abra el formulario, el formulario wi

About The Author: Phil Hart has been a Microsoft Community Contributor since 2010. With a current point score over 100,000, they've contributed more than 3000 answers in the Microsoft Support forums and have created almost 200 new help articles in the Technet Wiki.

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