Other PDF Issues

Fix Adobe Acrobat Move List Not Sorting Alphabetically on iPad

Emma Brown Oct 19, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to restore alphabetical sorting for folders in the Adobe Acrobat 'Move' list on their iPad.

Fix Adobe Acrobat Move List Not Sorting Alphabetically on iPad

Product: Adobe Acrobat
Device & OS: iPad / iOS 11.2.5
Scenario: Attempting to organize and move PDF files into destination folders after a recent application update.
Observed behavior: Folders in the Move list appear out of alphabetical order, making it difficult to locate specific folders, whereas the Local section remains correctly sorted.

Before you start

Ensure your iPad is connected to Wi-Fi and that you have securely backed up any locally saved PDF documents to a cloud service (like iCloud or Google Drive) before attempting to reinstall the application.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Software and Restart the App

Outdated app versions or OS glitches can cause display and indexing bugs. Updating the app is the quickest way to resolve known sorting errors.

Software updates often contain patches for minor interface bugs, including incorrect list sorting. Applying the latest updates from Adobe and Apple ensures the app's directory indexing functions properly.

Force Close Acrobat

Swipe up from the bottom of your iPad screen, locate the Adobe Acrobat app preview, and swipe it upward to close it completely.

Update Adobe Acrobat

Open the App Store on your iPad, tap your profile icon in the top right, and check if a newer version of Adobe Acrobat is available. Tap 'Update' if present.

Update iOS

Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPad and install any pending iOS updates to ensure maximum compatibility.

Reopen and Verify

Launch Adobe Acrobat again, select a PDF, tap 'Move', and check if the destination folders are now sorted alphabetically.

App Version Requirements: Older versions like 18.01.15 may lack the manual setting to restore alphabetical sorting, making updates mandatory for this fix.

Solution 2

Sign Out and Reinstall Adobe Acrobat

If updating does not work, clearing the app's cache by signing out or performing a clean reinstallation can reset the internal file list indexing.

Effortless PDF Management

Easily Manage and Organize PDFs on iPad with WPS Office

Tired of sorting bugs and disorganized folders? WPS Office provides a seamless, integrated file manager for your iPad, allowing you to view, edit, move, and strictly sort your PDF files in perfect alphabetical order without hassle.

1. Download WPS Office: Search for and install WPS Office from the Apple App Store on your iPad.
2. Access Your Documents: Launch the app and navigate to the 'Files' tab at the bottom to view your local and cloud documents.
3. Apply Alphabetical Sorting: Tap the sort icon at the top of the file list and select 'Name' to instantly organize all your PDFs and folders from A to Z.
4. Move Files Seamlessly: Long-press any PDF file, select 'Move', and effortlessly navigate through your neatly sorted folder hierarchy to pick a destination.

Seamlessly sorts files and folders alphabetically by defaultBuilt-in advanced PDF reader, annotator, and editor for iPadFully compatible with Adobe PDF and Microsoft Office document formatsLightweight application that saves your device storage space

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is only the Move list unsorted while the Local section is fine?

This is typically caused by a bug in the specific app version's indexing system for cloud or app-specific destination folders, while the local file directory bypasses this and uses the iPad's native iOS sorting logic.

Will reinstalling Adobe Acrobat delete my local PDFs on my iPad?

Yes, if files are only stored within the app's isolated local storage and not backed up to Adobe Document Cloud or the native iOS Files app, uninstalling will delete them. Always copy your documents to a secure cloud service or your iPad's 'On My iPad' general storage before uninstalling.

Is there a manual setting to sort folders alphabetically in Acrobat's Move list?

In older versions of Adobe Acrobat, there is often no manual toggle (like an A-Z button) inside the Move list menu. The app is programmed to sort them alphabetically by default, which is why a software update or reinstall is required to fix the indexing glitch.

PDF Troubleshooting