How to Sort Picklist Values into Alphabetical Order in Salesforce

In this Salesforce Tutorial, we will learn how to sort picklist values into alphabetical order in Salesforce. In addition, we’ll look at how Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic handle sorting by ascending or descending for the picklist field in a related list.

While working in an organization that uses the Salesforce CRM tool, I was asked to reorder the disorganized picklist values so users wouldn’t have to waste time looking for the right value. As a result, I made the decision to reorder the picklist values alphabetically.

You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking to discover how to alphabetically sort picklist values in both Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Classic components.

How to Sort Picklist Values into Alphabetical Order in Salesforce Lightning

Here, are the steps to sort picklist values into alphabetical order in Salesforce Lightning:

Step 1: Log in to the Salesforce account and then select “Setup” from the menu in the top right corner of the page.

How to Sort Picklist Values into Alphabetical Order in Salesforce
Setup to Sort Picklist Values into Alphabetical Order in Salesforce

Step 2: Select “Object Manager” from the setup menu by clicking on it.

How to Sort Picklist Values into Alphabetical Order in Salesforce Example
Sort Picklist Values into Alphabetical Order in Salesforce Example

Step 3: When you find the item you want to sort the picklist value alphabetically, click on it. I select “Campaign” in this case.

Sort Picklist Values into Alphabetical Order in Salesforce
Sort Campaign Picklist Values into Alphabetical Order in Salesforce

Step 4: Now, click on the “Fields & Relationships” option left side menu on the screen.

Step 5: Find the picklist field you wish to modify and click it. I select “Type” here.

Sort Picklist Values into Alphabetical Order in Salesforce Example
Sort Type Picklist Values into Alphabetical Order in Salesforce

Step 6: On success, we will redirect to the picklist detail page. Now, scroll down to the “Campaign Type Picklist Values” section.

Step 7: To change the order, click the “Reorder” button.

How to Sort Picklist Values into Alphabetical Order in Salesforce Lightning
Sort Picklist Values into Alphabetical Order in Salesforce Lightning

Step 8: Click on the checkbox “Display values alphabetically, not in the order entered” to sort the picklist values alphabetically.

Step 9: At the end, click on the “Save” button to save the changes.

How to Sort Picklist Values into Alphabetical Order in Salesforce Lightning Example
Sort Picklist Values into Alphabetical Order in Salesforce Lightning Example

Step 10: To check that the whether the picklist values have been reordered correctly, navigate to the item whose picklist values have been modified and check.

Sort Picklist Values into Alphabetical Order in Salesforce Lightning
Sort Picklist Values into Alphabetical Order in Salesforce Lightning

With this, we have successfully learned to sort picklist values into alphabetical order in Salesforce Lightning. Now, we will proceed and learn to sort picklist values into alphabetical order in Salesforce Classic.

How to Sort Picklist Values into Alphabetical Order in Salesforce Classic

Here, are the steps to sort picklist values into alphabetical order in Salesforce Classic:

Step 1: We must first sign in to Salesforce Classic. To do this, click on “Avatar” and select “Switch to Salesforce Classic”.

sorting by ascending or descending for the picklist field
Switch to Salesforce Classic

Step 2: Then, select “Setup” from the menu.

How to Sort Picklist Values into Alphabetical Order in Salesforce Classic Example
Setup to Sort Picklist Values into Alphabetical Order in Salesforce Classic Example

Step 3: Scroll down to the “Build” section. Select the object for which we want to sort the picklist value alphabetically under “Customize”. In this case, I select the “Leads” object.

Step 4: To find the field from the chosen object, select the “Fields” option.

Sort Picklist Values into Alphabetical Order in Salesforce Classic
Sort Leads Picklist Values into Alphabetical Order in Salesforce Classic

Step 5: Find the picklist field you wish to sort and click on it. I select “Lead Source” here.

Sort Picklist Values into Alphabetical Order in Salesforce Classic Example
Sort Picklist Values into Alphabetical Order in Salesforce Lead Source Classic

Step 6: Now, scroll down to the “Account/Lead Source Picklist Values” section on the picklist detail page.

Step 7: To sort the order, click the “Reorder” option.

Salesforce sorting by ascending or descending for the picklist field
Salesforce sorting by ascending or descending for the picklist field

Step 8: To sort the picklist values alphabetically, tick the “Display values alphabetically, not in the order entered” checkbox.

Step 9: To save the changes, click on the “Save” button.

Salesforce sorting by ascending or descending for the picklist field example
Salesforce sorting by ascending or descending for the picklist field example

Step 10: Navigate to the item whose picklist values have been sorted and check to see if the picklist values have been reordered correctly.

Salesforce Classic sorting by ascending or descending for the picklist field
Salesforce Classic sorting by ascending or descending for the picklist field

With the help of this, we were able to successfully sort picklist data in Salesforce Classic alphabetically.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sorting the picklist values in Salesforce is a quick and easy technique to help clients to find the choice they need. Moreover, we can sort the picklist value alphabetically in Salesforce in a few simple steps if you follow the straightforward techniques outlined above.

In addition, it is important to note that sorting picklist values in Salesforce has no impact on previously saved entries. Only newly created records will be sorted as per the alphabetic technique.

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