How I organize my tracks.
 
I set up a new folder every year. It's simply called by the 4 digit year.
 
In each, I set up a separate sub folder for each song project.  All project files are placed in this folder.
 
I'm planning to go into the DAW and set up new folders for the single MP3/Waves of songs placed with publishers and libraries, with the folder named for the Library/Publisher ...to make it easier to see who has what in their catalog.
 
Simple is better.
 

It sounds like you just need to either watch an in depth Sonar video tutorial (try Groove3) or read the manual (a daunting prospect I know). Because if you come from something like an old version of FL and expect to recreate your workflow by groping around blindly, you're just going to get annoyed. Sonar is a fully featured professional DAW which gives you the freedom to arrange and organize your work how you wish, you just have to learn how to do it.

Going by the fact that you didn't know you could rename step sequencer rows, I'm guessing you haven't read the manual or any tutorials.

Thanks Sharke, I have read the appropriate sections of the manual and watched appropriate tutorials but only to look for an answer to my problem.
The closest thing I can get to the FL Sequencer view is multiple overlays in the PRV, but there is a limit to how many different colours of midi data you can comprehend.
Multiple clips help a bit, but only with organisation.
Markers, matrix view and step sequencer clips don't do enough for me either.
Having to work with all the instrument data in one long track is a huge step backwards.
I took it for granted that the spreadsheet-style columns and rows interface would be in all DAWs, but it would seem that I was wrong
The spreadsheet view is absolutely key to my compositing of a musical track (entire instrumental).
It makes it very easy to subdivide instruments/patterns/variations and align their relative timing precisely.
I understand that for people recording audio data, Sonar will be good, but for me, it has created more problems than it has solved.

Sonar was a MIDI sequencer way before it was an audio editor.
 
For "spreadheet" type workflows the Matrix view is probably something you want to read more about. You can arrange sections/parts elements in rows/columns/cells. From there your just trigger what you want when you want and it will record it into the Track View.
 
What you described in the OP is NOT a normal recording workflow in any DAW AFAIK. It sounds more like a live setup for djing like what people use Ableton and FL for BUT both those programs also have "track view" areas as well where things get recorded to. The Matrix is likely the closest you'll get to that flow in Sonar. Use the Step Sequncer to put your clips together, toss them in the cells/columns of the Matrix and go nuts.
 
It would be a lot easier to see exactly what you are attempting to do (and help figure it out) if you make a screen vid of how you did it in FL and how you are trying to do it in Sonar.
 
Cheers.

Hello again Beepster,
I am struggling to find a host for my explanatory screenshot.
One of the other ones you mentioned earlier is a subscription site.
Hopefully, I'll find something soon.
The closest approximation is Excel, where each row is a pattern for a single or multiple instruments and each column is a number of bars/time.
Drums could be cells A1 and A3 with B2 having a cymbal added and C4 a snare roll.
Cells D1 to D4 have the same piano chords.
Therefore, timing the drums exactly with their matching piano part is very easy because all the columns are the same width and time, not an endless stretch to the right of the screen.
I spent six hours on Sunday trying to get a drum pattern in 32nd notes to match a guitar line.
Neither fun, nor funny :0)
Matrix view is performance orientated and cannot hold enough data to meet my requirements.
Some of my FL instrumentals are 40 rows by 80 columns, though usually smaller.
 
p.s. I loved your "apeballs" comment earlier.
I wish I could, and then I wouldn't have to spend time typing on the forum because everything would flow!
Thanks again for your input.

Graeme McTaggart
I am struggling to find a host for my explanatory screenshot.

Check this thread: http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3292954 There are several good options in it. One ought to work for you.

Use imgur for your photos. Guaranteed quickest and easiest way.

The SWA Complete SONAR X2 is now freely viewable on YouTube (9 hours of stuff), and 90% is still applicable.
 
Unfortunately, the chapters have no titles, but ShellstaX posted them here.
 
Chapter 26 deals specifically with an introduction to the Matrix View.