Salesforce Admins and users rejoice — one of the most-requested list view enhancements is finally Generally Available (GA)! You can now sort your list views by up to five columns at once. This small but mighty feature helps you analyze, prioritize, and act faster — all without building a custom report.
Key Features
1. Multi-Column Sorting (Up to 5 Columns)
You can now sort list view data by up to five columns simultaneously, giving you deeper insights directly on record lists.
- Sort ascending or descending per column.
- Combine multiple fields (like Stage, Close Date, Amount) for a structured view.
- The sorting applies only to your view, not to other users.
2. Visual Sorting Indicators
Each sorted column displays a column sort icon showing the sort order (ascending/descending). This visual cue makes it easy to identify your sorting logic at a glance.
3. Quick Reset Option
Made too many sorts? No problem. Click List View Controls ▸ Reset Column Sorting to return to single-column sorting instantly.
4. Personalized Experience
The multi-column sort is user-specific — it doesn’t alter the default list view setup or impact other users.
5. Available Everywhere
This feature is now GA (Generally Available) for all users — no setup required if list views are already enabled in Lightning Experience.
Considerations & Limitations
Before you dive in, here are a few important points to keep in mind:
- Personal View Only: Multi-column sort can’t be saved as the default view or shared with others. It’s tied to your current session preferences.
- Applies to Lightning Experience: Supported in Lightning list views, not in Salesforce Classic.
- Performance Impact: Sorting across many columns in very large datasets may take slightly longer to load.
- Not for All Columns: Some fields (like formula fields or special data types) may not support sorting.
- Resets on Refresh: If you refresh or leave the page, you may need to reapply your custom sorting.
How to Enable Multi-Column Sort
The good news — no special permission or setup is required! This feature is available out of the box in Lightning Experience once your org is on the Winter ’26 release.
If you don’t see the option:
- Make sure your org has the latest release updates.
- Use a supported browser and standard list views (not visualforce pages).
- Verify that your profile has access to the object and list view.
How to Use Multi-Column Sort
Here’s how you can start using this feature right away:
Step 1: Open a List View
Navigate to any standard or custom object — for example, Opportunities, Cases, or Accounts — and open an existing list view.
Step 2: Click the Column Sort Icon
Hover over the column header you want to sort by and click the Column Sort icon (🔽 or 🔼). This sorts your list by that column.
Step 3: Add More Columns
Hold Shift and click another column header to add a second (or third, up to five) sort criteria. Each column will show a numbered indicator (1, 2, 3…) representing the sort priority.
Step 4: Change Sort Order
Click the column header again to toggle between ascending and descending order.
Step 5: Reset if Needed
To go back to single-column sorting:
- Click List View Controls
- Select Reset Column Sorting
Example Use Case
Imagine you’re a Sales Manager reviewing Opportunities. You can now:
- Sort by Stage (ascending) to group deals by stage.
- Add Close Date (ascending) to see the earliest closing deals first.
- Add Amount (descending) to highlight high-value opportunities within each stage.
No need for a report — your insights appear directly in the list view!
Summary
The new Multi-Column Sort for List Views gives you more control and flexibility to analyze records without leaving your list views.
You can:
- Sort up to 5 columns
- Change order easily
- Reset with one click
- Use it instantly — no setup required
It’s a simple but powerful way to spot trends, prioritize work, and make data-driven decisions faster.
For more detailed information, refer to the official Salesforce documentation:
Sort List Views by Multiple Columns (Generally Available)
Pro Tip
Pair this feature with Pinned List Views and Inline Editing to create your own mini-dashboard experience — sorted, editable, and ready for action!
Have any questions? Feel free to drop an email to support@astreait.com or visit astreait.com to schedule a consultation.