Salesforce has consistently revolutionized how organizations manage their data, and the Spring '25 release introduces yet another game-changer: the ability to sort list views by multiple columns. This enhancement empowers users to analyze and act on data more intuitively by organizing it in a way that aligns with their specific needs.
If you’ve ever wished for more control over list view sorting, this feature is here to address that. Let’s dive deep into what this functionality brings, how to use it, and why it’s such a valuable addition.
What Is Multi-Column Sorting?
Multi-column sorting allows users to sort list views by up to five columns simultaneously. This feature enhances the way you interact with list views, enabling a more granular and actionable view of your data.
- Custom Order and Priority: To suit your workflow, you can define the sort order (ascending or descending) for each column.
- Temporary Preferences: Your multi-column sorting configuration is saved for the session but cannot be set as the default view for others.
- Quick Reset: Returning to a single-column sort is as easy as clicking on a different column header or resetting the configuration.
Why Is This Important?
Imagine managing a list of opportunities. Sorting by Close Date alone might not be enough if you also want to prioritize deals by Amount. With this feature, you can sort opportunities first by Close Date, and then by Amount, giving you a clearer picture of which deals need immediate attention.
Where and When Is This Available?
- Applicable Editions: The feature is available in all Lightning Experience editions except Starter and Pro Suite.
- Release Timeline: Multi-column sorting is rolling out on a general availability basis starting with the Spring '25 release.
How to Access This Feature
Required Edition
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You must use one of these Salesforce editions:
- Developer Edition (free)
- Enterprise Edition
Important Notes
- This feature must be set up in a Spring Release demo organization.
- Professional Edition is NOT compatible with this feature since it's part of the Pro Suite.
Steps to Get Started
- [Setup link] : https://www.salesforce.com/form/signup/prerelease-spring25/
- Create your new demo organization, selecting either Developer or Enterprise Edition
- Once created, you can proceed with enabling the feature
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Multi-Column Sorting
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Access a List View
- Navigate to the object’s home page in Lightning Experience (e.g., Opportunities, Cases).
- Select the desired list view to work with.
- At first we could see that the “Sort by Multiple Columns’ is not available there in the ‘List view Controls’
We need to enable multi-column sort feature in Salesforce, you need to do the the following to :
- Go to Setup
- Select User Interface
- Check the box next to Enable sort by multiple columns (Beta)
Now Hard refresh the Page
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Open Multi-Column Sorting
- Click on the “List View Controls” (gear icon) located in the upper-right corner of the list view.
- Select the “Sort by Multiple Columns” option from the dropdown menu.
- Now we can see the beta version of Sort by multiple column is now available there.
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Configure Columns for Sorting
- Use the provided interface to select up to five columns for sorting.
- For each column, choose whether the sorting should be in ascending or descending order.
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Apply the Sorting
- Once you’ve configured your sorting preferences, click the “Apply” button.
- The list view will update instantly to reflect your specified order.
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Reset to Default or Single-Column Sorting
- To revert to the original order, click “List View Controls” and choose “Reset Column Sorting.”
- Alternatively, click on any column header to return to single-column sorting.
All the sorting which has been done before is reset now.
Best Practices for Multi-Column Sorting
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Prioritize Columns Based on Business Needs
- Determine which columns are most critical for your specific use case.
- For example, sales teams may prioritize Close Date, Amount, and Stage, while service managers focus on Priority, Date Opened, and Case Owner.
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Use Logical Column Order
- Ensure the order of sorting makes logical sense to enhance data visibility.
- For instance, sort Accounts first by Industry, then by Revenue, and finally by Number of Employees to analyze business segmentation effectively.
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Test Configurations for Usability
- Experiment with different combinations to find the most actionable view.
- Save frequently used combinations by noting them down for quick reconfiguration.
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Reset Sorting When Needed
- Regularly reset to default sorting to avoid confusion when switching between use cases.
- Save frequently used combinations by noting them down for quick reconfiguration.
Practical Use Cases
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Managing Cases Efficiently
Imagine a service manager needing to prioritize customer cases. A well-sorted list can help them focus on the most critical issues first:
- Primary Sort: Contact Name (Alphabetical Order)
- Secondary Sort: Priority (Descending)
- Tertiary Sort: Date/Time Opened (Ascending)
This setup ensures high-priority cases appear at the top, grouped by customer.
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Optimizing Opportunity Pipelines
For sales teams, managing opportunities effectively is key to hitting targets. Multi-column sorting offers a dynamic way to prioritize deals:
- Primary Sort: Close Date (Earliest to Latest)
- Secondary Sort: Amount (Highest to Lowest)
- Tertiary Sort: Opportunity Stage (Open Deals First)
This configuration provides clarity on the most time-sensitive and high-value opportunities.
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Streamlining Marketing Campaigns
Marketing teams can use multi-column sorting to evaluate campaigns:
- Primary Sort: Campaign Start Date (Ascending)
- Secondary Sort: Total Budget (Descending)
- Tertiary Sort: Campaign Status (Active First)
This ensures campaigns are assessed based on recency, investment, and activity status.
Limitations to Keep in Mind
While this feature is powerful, it does come with some constraints:
- User-Specific Configuration: Multi-column sorting preferences are not shareable or settable as default for other users.
- No Saving of Configurations: If you navigate away from the list view or refresh, you’ll need to reapply your sorting preferences.
- Edition Restrictions: Not available in Starter and Pro Suite editions.
How Salesforce Delivered This Feature
Salesforce is known for listening to its users, and this feature is no exception. The idea for multi-column sorting was inspired by feedback from the IdeaExchange platform. Salesforce’s commitment to delivering impactful solutions is reflected in this thoughtful enhancement that addresses real user needs.
Conclusion
The ability to sort list views by multiple columns is a long-awaited feature that simplifies data management and enhances productivity. By allowing users to view data more structured and actionable, Salesforce enables teams to make faster, data-driven decisions.
As this feature rolls out with the Spring '25 release, take the time to explore its capabilities and integrate it into your workflows. Whether you’re managing cases, opportunities, or custom objects, multi-column sorting will undoubtedly make your Salesforce experience more intuitive and efficient.
For additional questions on Experience please reach out to support@astreait.com