How to Reorder Microsoft Lists Items with Drag and Drop Alternatives
Question details
The user wants to know how to reorder list items by dragging and dropping them directly in Microsoft Lists.
- Product
- Microsoft Lists
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Organizing and prioritizing data rows within a Microsoft List for better workflow management.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Lists does not currently support reordering items by dragging and dropping; items can only be organized using built-in filters and sorting.
Ensure you have the necessary permissions to edit the view settings in your Microsoft List, as changing the sort order or applying filters will modify how the data is displayed.
Use Column Sorting to Organize Items
Since manual drag-and-drop is not supported, the most effective way to reorder items in Microsoft Lists is by sorting them based on specific column values.
Sorting allows you to arrange your list items in alphabetical, numerical, or chronological order based on the data in your columns. You can also add a dedicated 'Priority' or 'Order' number column to control the exact sequence of items manually.
Navigate to Microsoft Lists or SharePoint and open the specific list you want to organize.
Click on the header of the column you want to use for ordering your items.
Choose 'A to Z' (Ascending) or 'Z to A' (Descending) from the drop-down menu to automatically reorganize the list items based on that column's data.
If you want this order to be permanent for all users, click the View menu at the top right and select 'Save view as' to overwrite or create a new organized view.
Submit a Feature Request via the Feedback Portal
If the drag-and-drop functionality is critical for your workflow, you can advocate for its development by providing feedback directly to Microsoft.
Easily Manage and Reorder Data with WPS Spreadsheet
If the limitations of Microsoft Lists are slowing down your workflow, consider using WPS Spreadsheet. As a free, lightweight, and powerful alternative to Microsoft Excel, WPS Office gives you total control over your data, allowing you to easily drag, drop, sort, and manage your lists without restrictions.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office suite for your operating system.
- 2. Create or Import Your List: Open WPS Spreadsheet and either create a new data list or import your existing Microsoft Excel files seamlessly.
- 3. Manage Data Freely: Highlight any row or column and utilize standard drag-and-drop actions to quickly reorganize your data exactly how you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will drag-and-drop reordering be added to Microsoft Lists?
Currently, Microsoft has not provided an official timeline for adding drag-and-drop reordering to Microsoft Lists. However, features are frequently updated based on user demand submitted through the Microsoft Feedback portal.
How do I ensure my Microsoft List stays in a specific order?
To keep a list in a specific order, you should set a default sort criteria in the View settings. Click 'All Items' (or your current view name) in the top right, select 'Edit current view', scroll down to the 'Sort' section, choose your preferred primary sorting column, and click 'OK'.
Can I manually drag and drop rows in standard spreadsheet programs?
Yes, unlike Microsoft Lists, standard spreadsheet applications like WPS Spreadsheet and Microsoft Excel allow you to select an entire row or column and drag it to a new location to reorder your data instantly.
