How to sort CMS items in Webflow by date or alphabetically to create ordered lists?

Sorting CMS Items in Webflow by Date or Alphabetically

 

Sorting CMS items in Webflow allows you to organize and present your content in an order that makes sense to your users, whether that's by date or alphabetically. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to setting up sorting functionality for your CMS collections in Webflow.

 

Prerequisites

 

• A Webflow account with a project and CMS collection set up.
• Basic understanding of the Webflow Designer interface.
• Familiarity with CMS collections and fields in Webflow.

 

Understanding Webflow CMS Sorting

 

• Webflow allows you to sort CMS collection lists based on the fields available in your collection.
• Sorting can be applied in ascending or descending order.
• Common sorting fields include date fields for chronological sorting and text fields for alphabetical sorting.

 

Setting Up Your CMS Collection Items

 

• Log in to your Webflow project where the CMS collection is located.
• Navigate to the CMS panel in the Designer to access your collections.
• Ensure your collection includes the fields you intend to sort by, such as a date field or text field.

 

Adding a Collection List to a Page

 

• Open the page where you want to display your sorted list of CMS items.
• In the Designer, click on the "+" icon to open the elements panel.
• Drag and drop a "Collection List" element onto your page.
• Choose the collection you want to display from the list of CMS collections available.

 

Sorting CMS Items by Date

 

• Select the "Collection List Wrapper" element within the Designer.
• Navigate to the settings panel (right-hand side of the Designer) where "Collection List" settings are displayed.
• Locate the "Sort Order" section within the settings panel.
• Click "Add Sort Order" to create a new rule for sorting.
• Choose the date field from your collection fields. This could be a 'Publish Date', 'Created Date', or any custom date field.
• Select the order of sorting:
  • Ascending: Sorts from oldest to newest.
  • Descending: Sorts from newest to oldest.

 

Sorting CMS Items Alphabetically

 

• Choose the text field that you want to sort alphabetically, such as a 'Title' or 'Name' field.
• In the Collection List settings panel, click "Add Sort Order" if not already added.
• Select the text field you want to sort by.
• Select the order of sorting:
  • Ascending (A-Z): Sorts from A to Z.
  • Descending (Z-A): Sorts from Z to A.

 

Applying and Previewing Your Sort Order

 

• After setting your sort preferences, click outside the settings panel to apply the changes.
• Use the "Preview" mode in Webflow to see how your CMS items display on the live site.
• Check to ensure items are appearing in the correct order and adjust if necessary.

 

Additional Sorting Tips and Considerations

 

• For complex sorting needs, consider using multiple level sort orders (e.g., sort by date first, then alphabetically).
• For dynamic elements like blogs or event listings, order influences user engagement.
• Ensure your sorting logic aligns with user expectations and the purpose of the list being displayed.

 

By following these steps, you can effectively sort your CMS items in Webflow, creating a dynamic and intuitive experience for your users. Whether you're sorting chronologically or alphabetically, leveraging Webflow's sorting functionality ensures your content is presented in the most relevant and accessible manner.