A method and system is provided to populate a customized pull down menu with table driven sort options in a graphical user interface for displaying a data report. A computer builds a table of sortable fields for a dashboard report, and displays in the dashboard report filters in the table that apply to the sortable fields. The computer receives from the user a selection of at least one sortable field from the sortable fields from a pull down menu, and at least one flag is set for inclusion in the dashboard report, wherein the at least one set flag define a sort order for an element of the data report. A generated SQL statement is modified to sort the element according to the at least one set flag. The element is sorted according to the modified SQL statement.