Column Sorting
Enable column sorting to let users reorder rows directly from the table header. Sorting works across text, numbers, and dates, supports multiple sorted columns, and updates instantly without reloading the page.
How to enable
- Edit the table macro or import dialog.
- Enable Column sorting.
- Save or publish — sortable headers will appear.
Click a column sort icon to sort ascending. Click again to reverse the order. Click once more to clear sorting for that column. Sorting is applied instantly on the current dataset.
Multi-column sorting
After sorting one column, hold Shift and click the sort icon on another column to add it as a secondary sort. You can repeat this across additional columns to create a prioritized sorting order.
- Click the sort icon on the first column you want to sort.
- Hold Shift and click the sort icon on another column to add a second sorting rule.
- Repeat with more columns if you need additional sorting levels.
- Click a sorted column's arrows again until it returns to the unsorted state to remove that sorting rule.
Example: Sort by Priority first, then hold Shift and sort by Created date. Rows with the same priority will then be ordered by date.
What to expect
- Sorting applies to the full dataset currently loaded in the table.
- Works with text, numeric, and date-based columns.
- Hold Shift while clicking another sort icon to add multi-column sorting.
- Click the arrows again to cycle a sorted column back to the unsorted state.
- Sorting is client-side and updates instantly.
Why it matters
Sorting helps users quickly organize data to find what matters—top values, alphabetical lists, or time-based ordering—without additional tools or exports.
Support Agent
Acme Co — Customer Support
Context and challenge:
Support teams often work with large lists of tickets where priority, status, and time are key. Without sorting, important items can be harder to spot.
Solution – Column sorting:
By sorting the “Priority” column descending, high-priority tickets appear first. Holding Shift and sorting by date adds a second sorting rule, so tickets with the same priority can be ordered by oldest or newest request.
Benefits:
• Faster triage: focus on the most important items first.
• Clear ordering: everyone sees the same prioritized view.
• Flexible analysis: combine priority, date, status, or owner sorting in one view.
• Scales easily: works the same for small and large datasets.
Impact:
Teams can prioritize work more effectively and maintain a clearer overview of active tasks.
Want to try it in your site? InstallSimple Tables for Confluence from the Atlassian Marketplace.