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Add a multiple columns sort feature

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Power BI User on 23 Dec 2015 22:09:02

If it is possible please provide the multiple columns sort . For example I want to sort the table visualization based on Priority and severity

Administrator on 18 Dec 2020 23:57:00

This has been implemented for tables as of March 2020: 

Power BI Desktop March 2020 Feature Summary | Microsoft Power BI Blog | Microsoft Power BI

We're well aware, however, that more can be done to improve its discoverability--as well as to extend support for the feature to other visuals (like the matrix). Keep an eye out for future developments! 

Comments (248)
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raynok on 16 Aug 2020 03:56:06

RE: Add a multiple columns sort feature

Would be great, my example . . . .

Either using the stacked column chart or clustered I would like to sort the following

1.) showing by months
2.) Total (sum) of categories, 8 different categories
3.) X-axis concatenate labels turn off

Issue: As soon as I try sorting the Total( sum) category by (Asc) the x-axis concatenate turn off option breaks.

In excel it works, I would like to see this working in power bi desktop/services

Again, would be great.

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John on 16 Aug 2020 03:55:53

RE: Add a multiple columns sort feature

This would be a big help. I wanted to sort by project name, and then by the task id, so the list is in chronological order for each project.

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Andrea Spagnuolo on 16 Aug 2020 03:55:26

RE: Add a multiple columns sort feature

this would be great!

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Irak on 16 Aug 2020 03:55:17

RE: Add a multiple columns sort feature

Power BI makes very difficult simple tasks, for example, sort customized columns, I cant reorder columns in natural year monthly. I searched many documentation but its not clear and, when finally I think Im found possible solutions, this trigger a new error message. I'm frustrated

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Jorge Diaz on 16 Aug 2020 03:54:34

RE: Add a multiple columns sort feature

We are working on our first Power BI project and we are very surprised this functionality is not available. Excel & Cognos have it...

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Adam J on 16 Aug 2020 03:54:34

RE: Add a multiple columns sort feature

Agreed, this is especially frustrating with the Table visualization (which I think you are referring to), considering that the data sources, if written in SQL, cannot contain an ORDER BY clause.

The Power BI support team confirmed that this multi-level sort isn't available at this time in Power BI, but it is an essential need for reports that provide raw data output. SSRS has this out of the box, Power BI should as well.

It should work just like Excel, for column data in a table, (i.e. sort by Column B Asc, then Column C Desc, then Column A Asc, etc).

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Bram Wijns on 16 Aug 2020 03:54:16

RE: Add a multiple columns sort feature

Indeed something that is currently missing and can be considered as basic functionality.

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Mike on 16 Aug 2020 03:54:10

RE: Add a multiple columns sort feature

There are other registered ideas that are almost the same as this one. This uncontrolled idea submitting option is not efficient. I think this is a really important feature but because of the inefficient registration does not get the votes it deserves (now its fragmented).

Not my text but I agree fully:
I think that Microsoft must spend more time on these basic, fundamentals of reporting / dashboarding. I worry that too often they spend more time chasing cool, "glitzy" functionality, at the expense of the core functionality that other products have

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Mel on 16 Aug 2020 03:54:09

RE: Add a multiple columns sort feature

Yes please!!

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Power BI User on 16 Aug 2020 03:53:55

RE: Add a multiple columns sort feature

Compound sorting seems like a very basic reporting feature. I would hope it would be added ASAP.