How to Sort a SharePoint Lookup Column Drop-Down in Descending Order
Question details
The user needs to sort the values in a modern SharePoint lookup column drop-down list in descending order, specifically to better organize date-prefixed items.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Selecting a value from a lookup column while creating or editing an item in a modern SharePoint list.
- Observed behavior
- The lookup drop-down displays items without respecting the sort order applied to the source list, making it difficult to find specific descending values like recent dates.
Verify if your Microsoft 365 environment allows form customization using Power Apps, as standard SharePoint list settings do not support custom sorting for lookup columns.
Customize the SharePoint Form using Power Apps
Since native SharePoint lacks a setting to sort lookup columns, using Power Apps to customize the list form is the most reliable way to enforce a descending order.
Power Apps allows you to override the default SharePoint form and use formulas to control exactly how data is displayed. By applying the SortByColumns function to the Items property of your drop-down or combo box, you can achieve the desired descending order.
Navigate to your SharePoint list, click on 'Integrate' in the top menu, select 'Power Apps', and then click 'Customize forms'.
Once the Power Apps studio opens, click on the combo box control inside the data card that corresponds to your lookup column.
In the properties pane on the right side, go to the 'Advanced' tab and click 'Unlock to change properties'.
Change the 'Items' property formula to include sorting. For example: SortByColumns(Choices([@YourList].YourLookupColumn), "Value", SortOrder.Descending). Replace the placeholders with your actual list and column names.
Save your changes in Power Apps and click 'Publish to SharePoint'. Return to your list to verify that the drop-down is now sorted in descending order.
Implement Custom Code via SharePoint Framework (SPFx)
For complex requirements or environments where Power Apps is restricted, developers can use SPFx to create a custom field rendering.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't sorting the source list change the lookup drop-down order?
SharePoint loads lookup column options based on their internal database ID or default configurations, entirely bypassing the view or sorting settings applied directly to the source list.
Can I use a calculated column to force the drop-down to sort?
No, calculated columns do not reliably control the sorting behavior of a lookup drop-down in modern SharePoint interfaces. While they format data, they do not dictate the retrieval sequence.
Is there any built-in list setting to sort a lookup column natively?
Currently, Microsoft SharePoint does not provide an out-of-the-box setting in the column configuration menu to define or enforce a sort order for lookup fields.
Does customizing the form in Power Apps affect list views?
No. Power Apps only changes how the data entry form functions (New, Edit, and View item forms). It does not alter how data is sorted or displayed in the standard SharePoint list views.
