Began as 2003 Access database - just one table. Still in Access 2000 format. In attempting to sort a range in Calc the sort icons remain grey in Data and on the Homescreen.
Solved it enough to work for me. Exported the 2003 Access table to an Excel spreadsheet (lost any cell control or linkage, but that was okay with my current use), and opened that in LibreOffice. Can now sort a range as expected.