SharePoint Document Issues

How to Configure Filters and Sort Values in a SharePoint List

Partner Editor Oct 7, 2026 870 views

Question details

Users want to customize the columns that appear in the filter panel and sort the available filter values in ascending order.

How to Configure Filters and Sort Values in a SharePoint List

Product: SharePoint Online
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Organizing and filtering data within a SharePoint List view to quickly locate specific information.
Observed behavior: The filter panel lacks a built-in setting to add or configure specific columns, and the available filter values do not automatically sort in ascending order.

Before you start

Ensure you have the appropriate permissions to modify the view settings in your SharePoint list before attempting to adjust filters and sorting rules.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Column Headers for Sorting and Manage Limitations

Since SharePoint Online currently limits filter panel configuration, use the list's column headers to sort your data and manually remove unwanted filters.

Currently, SharePoint Online does not natively support adding or configuring specific columns directly within the filter panel settings. The available filters vary depending on the active view and cannot be explicitly chosen for the panel. Additionally, the checkbox values inside the filter panel are not automatically sorted in alphabetical order.

Sort Data Using Column Headers

Navigate to your SharePoint list, click on the specific column header you wish to organize, and select 'A to Z' from the dropdown menu. Note that this action sorts the actual list items, but it may not reorganize the options inside the filter panel.

Remove Existing Filters from the Panel

Click the Filter icon in the top right corner to open the filter panel. While you cannot add new columns here, you can uncheck or clear existing filters to refine your current view.

Submit a Feature Request

Because configuring the filter panel is currently a product limitation, visit the Microsoft SharePoint feedback portal (feedbackportal.microsoft.com) to submit an official request for custom filter sorting and panel configuration.

Use Column Headers for Sorting and Manage Limitations

Current Product Limitation: Sorting the column headers will organize your list data effectively, but it will not change the display order of the filter checkboxes inside the filter panel itself.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage and Filter Your Data Efficiently with WPS Office

While SharePoint Online has limitations with its list filtering, managing your structured data and spreadsheets is seamless with WPS Spreadsheet. Enjoy a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office that gives you complete control over your data sorting and filtering.

1. Export Your List: Export your SharePoint list data as a CSV or Excel file and open it in WPS Spreadsheet.
2. Apply Filters: Highlight your header row, navigate to the Data tab, and click the Filter button.
3. Sort and Customize: Click the drop-down arrow on any column header to perfectly sort values A to Z and configure custom text filters.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .csv) formats for seamless data migrationAdvanced, highly customizable data filtering and A-Z sorting capabilitiesLightweight application with a familiar, easy-to-navigate interfaceCompletely free to use for daily data management tasks

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose which columns appear in the SharePoint filter panel?

Currently, SharePoint Online does not provide a native setting to configure or add specific columns to the filter panel. You are only able to remove or clear existing filters that are automatically generated by the view.

Why aren't my SharePoint filter values sorted alphabetically?

By default, SharePoint does not automatically sort the available filter options in ascending order within the filter pane. This is a known product limitation in SharePoint Online.

How can I effectively sort the filtered items in my SharePoint list?

You can sort the items displayed in your list by clicking the column header at the top of the list and selecting 'A to Z' or 'Z to A'. However, this only sorts the visible list data, not the options within the filter panel.

Document & File Issues