Species are shown in a particular order on the Name Browser, the Thumbnail Browser and on a cascade of Species Plates. Initially this is alphabetically by name, but they may also be grouped according to characteristics. You may use this small dialog by click on the 'Group by criteria' option on the Options Menu whenever the Name Browser or the Thumbnail Browser is on top.
Using this dialog groups in order of the key question buttons on the Identification Forms. For example, in the Land invertebrates database group by wings will give you those with no wings first such as the Netted slug, then those with uncased wings such as the Wasp and finally those with cased wings like the Ladybird.
Click on the down arrow on the right of the first box to get the list. Click on the criteria you want to group by. If you wish you may also group by up to two additional criteria, click on the 'then by' button, then select as for the first list. Click Ok to perform grouping. When you next open a browser the creatures will be shown in your selected order. It is usually useful to select sort by name as the last item. To exit without sorting use the cancel button or the X on the control box.
Not all criteria appear in the list as grouping by some of them in button order is fairly meaningless or there are too many animals that are matched by more than one button to discriminate sensibly.
Note that this is a grouping by answers to the button only. If you select size of 80 to 110cm for mammals for example, you will get the Badger and Fox as they are both in that range. The program has no means of telling that the Fox can be longer or the Badger heavier and they may appear in either order. Note also that animals that match more than one answer will appear after those that only match the first of those answers. If you group the butterflies by month of flying, those which fly in April, May or June would appear after any only flying in April.
A more flexible way to group a database is from the Identification Form. You can, for example, ensure that all seed eating birds are shown first by clicking the "Seed eating" button in the beak shape group followed by "Match".