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How to Make Alphabetical Sorting Default in Viva Engage Communities

Natalie Taylor Sep 28, 2026 870 views

Question details

Users want to set alphabetical sorting as the persistent default view when browsing all communities in Microsoft Viva Engage.

How to Make Alphabetical Sorting the Default in Viva Engage Communities

Product: Viva Engage
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Browsing and discovering communities within an organization's Viva Engage network.
Observed behavior: Viva Engage lacks a built-in feature to make alphabetical sorting the permanent default view, causing the list to revert to the platform's standard algorithm each time it is opened.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged into your organization's Microsoft Viva Engage account on a web browser so you can test and save the custom URL workaround.

Solution 1Recommended

Use a Custom URL Shortcut (Recommended)

Since there is no native setting for a default view, using a specific URL parameter automatically forces the communities page to load in alphabetical order.

While Viva Engage does not offer a native profile setting to remember your preferred sorting method, you can bypass this limitation by bookmarking a custom URL. This parameter forces the platform to sort the list by name immediately upon loading.

Open your web browser

Launch the web browser you typically use to access your company's Viva Engage network.

Navigate to the custom URL

Type or paste the following link into your address bar: https://web.yammer.com/main/discover-groups/all?sortBy=name and press Enter.

Bookmark the page

Save this specific URL as a bookmark in your browser. Click on this bookmark whenever you want to browse communities to ensure they are always sorted alphabetically.

Direct Access: Using this bookmark will save you time by eliminating the need to manually change the sorting option during every visit.

Solution 2

Manually Sort Communities via the Dropdown Menu

If you prefer not to use bookmarks, you can manually adjust the sorting dropdown each time you visit the all communities page.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't Viva Engage save my community sorting preference?

Microsoft Viva Engage currently lacks a persistent profile setting for community sorting. The view resets to the platform's default algorithmic order each time you navigate away or refresh the page.

Can administrators set a default alphabetical view for the whole organization?

No, tenant administrators do not have a built-in control to force alphabetical sorting as the default community view for all users. The workaround must be applied individually by users.

Will using the URL parameter affect my ability to join private communities?

No, using the ?sortBy=name URL parameter only changes the visual order of the communities listed. It does not alter community permissions or your ability to request access to private groups.

How do I request Microsoft to add this default sorting feature?

You can submit a feature request through the official Microsoft Feedback platform or by using the feedback option located directly within the Viva Engage web interface settings.

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