Sort (Data Management)
Summary
Reorders, in ascending or descending order, records in a feature class or table based on one or multiple fields. The reordered result is written to a new dataset.
Illustration
![Sort by three attributes Sort by three attributes](0017/GUID-3491854A-B400-4CE4-9CF1-0D28B35F7614-web.png)
Usage
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Feature classes can be spatially reordered, or sorted. The Shape field must be used as the sort field for spatial sorting. There are a number of spatial sort methods that arrange the features differently based on their location.
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Geodatabase feature classes, shapefiles, feature layers, tables, and table views are valid inputs. Individual components of CAD and SDC datasets are also valid inputs.
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If any input records are selected, only the subset of selected records are sorted and written to the output.
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If more than one field is set as a sort field, rows are first sorted by the first field and within that order sorted by the second field, and so on.
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Polygon features can be sorted by their area using the Shape_Area field of a geodatabase feature class. Similarly, polyline features can be sorted by their length using the Shape_Length field. If you want to sort polygon features in a shapefile add a new field, calculate the area into the new field using Calculate Field, and run Sort using the new field.
![License License](rsrc/license.png)
For the Field(s) parameter, sorting by the Shape field or by multiple fields is only available with an Advanced license. Sorting by any single attribute field (excluding Shape) is available at all license levels.
Syntax
Parameter | Explanation | Data Type |
in_dataset |
The input dataset whose records will be reordered based on the field values in the sort field(s). | Table View |
out_dataset |
The output feature class or table. | Feature Class; Table |
sort_field [[sort_field, direction],...] |
Specifies the field(s) whose values will be used to reorder the input records, and the direction the records will be sorted.
| Value Table |
spatial_sort_method (Optional) |
Specifies how features are spatially sorted. Sort method is only enabled when the Shape field is selected as one of the sort fields.
| String |
Code Sample
The following Python window script demonstrates how to use Sort to order features by the values of a field.
import arcpy
from arcpy import env
env.workspace = "C:/data/city.gdb"
arcpy.Sort_management("crime", "crime_Sort", [["DATE_REP", "ASCENDING"]])
The following Python script demonstrates how to use the Sort in a stand-alone script.
# Name: Sort_example2.py
# Description: Sorts wells by location and well yield.
# Author: ESRI
# Import system modules
import arcpy
from arcpy import env
try:
# Set workspace environment
env.workspace = "C:/data/newfoundland.gdb"
# set local variables
in_dataset = "wells"
out_dataset = "wells_Sort"
# Order features first by location (Shape) and then by WELL_YIELD
sort_fields = [["Shape", "ASCENDING"], ["WELL_YIELD", "DESCENDING"]]
# Use Peano algorithm
sort_method = "PEANO"
# execute the function
arcpy.Sort_management(in_dataset, out_dataset, sort_fields, sort_method)
print arcpy.GetMessages()
except arcpy.ExecuteError:
# Print error messages
print arcpy.GetMessages(2)
except Exception as ex:
print ex.args[0]