Utilizing the same basic premise as fyed, I offer you this ...
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Sub foo()
Dim strSQL As String
Dim strIndex As String
Dim strTemp As String
Dim intOffset As Integer
'Assumes Autonumber ID field
strSQL = "SELECT [SortDate] FROM [SomeTableName] ORDER BY [SortDate], [ID]"
With CurrentDb.OpenRecordset(strSQL)
Do Until .EOF
'Extract the date portion of the SortDate taking into account that
'this may be not be the first time the procedure has ran.
strTemp = Split(Format(.Fields("SortDate"), "yyyy-dd-mm"), "|")(0)
'Mark when a new date is encountered
If strIndex <> strTemp Then
strIndex = strTemp
intOffset = .AbsolutePosition - 1
End If
'Edit the field you wish to use as the single field sort, but
'have multiple values within that field.
.Edit
.Fields("SortDate") = strTemp & "|" & Format(.AbsolutePosition - intOffset, "00000")
.Update
'Go to the next record
.MoveNext
Loop
End With
End Sub
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The reason I like this particular formulation of the SortDate field is that each item can be extracted by use of the separator (|). Also, the date portion is in international format and will sort as expected and visually is easily recognized as a date.
But I have the same sentiments as Fyed and think there is a better way. For example, the addition of a single date/time field that defaults to Now() {as I mentioned earlier}, or simply use a multi-key sort -- I know you indicated why you need the key in a single field, but you have not done so yet, soooo we'll still wonder why that requirement exists and continue to ask :)
