topic Re: How to get multiple defined options to not display alphabetically in ArcGIS Online Questions

How to get multiple defined options to not display alphabetically

SimonCrutchley — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 11:04:58 GMT

Hi there, I know that people will want to know why I do this, but I would like to have the list of options in a query and/or filter to appear in the order I want, not alphabetically. The reason behind this is that I want people to be able to sort by Period i.e. chronological time. People will want to view these in date order e.g. Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age not alphabetically e.g Bronze Age, Iron Age, Neolithic.

It strikes me that there ought to be a way to disable sorting alphabetically, but I haven't found it.

Thanks

Re: How to get multiple defined options to not display alphabetically

Laura — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 19:44:19 GMT

You could create another field for 'Period Order' (ie. Bronze Age = 2) and sort by this new field.

Re: How to get multiple defined options to not display alphabetically

SimonCrutchley — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 10:27:39 GMT

Hi Laura,

Thanks for that, but I don't think it will work. The problem is that I am searching for specific entries and unless I rewrite all my periods to start with a number e.g. 1- NEOLITHIC, 2 - BRONZE AGE etc, I don't see how I can use a numeric sort as otherwise I'd be looking for 1, 2 etc rather than Neolithic, which is adding complexity to the user.

Apologies if I've misunderstood this.

Re: How to get multiple defined options to not display alphabetically

Laura — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 14:22:15 GMT

Yeah not the best workaround, but at the moment a new field is your only solution.

Consider adding your use case to these threads:

https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-experience-builder-questions/sort-order-in-filter-widget/td-p/1140088/page/2

https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-experience-builder-ideas/filter-widget-option-to-display-order-of/idc-p/1357559#M2019

Re: How to get multiple defined options to not display alphabetically

SimonCrutchley — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 14:39:40 GMT

Will do, thanks.