Field sort (alphabetic, data source) in Tableau - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Sorting fields helps you organize your data in a clear order. You can sort fields alphabetically or by the order they appear in your data source. This makes it easier to find and analyze information in your Tableau views.

When you want to list product names alphabetically in a sales report.

When you need to show dates in the order they appear in your data source for a timeline.

When you want to sort customer names alphabetically in a dashboard filter.

When you want to keep the original order of categories as they are in your data source.

When you want to quickly switch between alphabetical and data source order to compare views.

Steps

Step 1: Open

- Tableau worksheet

Your data fields and view are visible on the screen

Step 2: Right-click

- the field name in the Data pane

A context menu appears with sorting options

Step 3: Select

- "Sort" from the context menu

The Sort dialog box opens

Step 4: Choose

- Sort dialog box, under Sort Order

Options for sorting appear: Ascending, Descending, or Manual

Step 5: Select

- Sort By section, choose either "Data Source Order" or "Alphabetic"

The field will sort according to your choice

Step 6: Click

- "OK" button in the Sort dialog box

The field in your view updates to the selected sort order

Before vs After

Before

Field values appear in the order they were added in the data source, for example: Banana, Apple, Cherry

After

Field values appear alphabetically sorted: Apple, Banana, Cherry

Settings Reference

Sort Order

📍 Sort dialog box

Controls whether the field sorts from A to Z or Z to A, or manual order

Default: Ascending

Sort By

📍 Sort dialog box

Determines the basis of sorting the field values

Default: Alphabetic

Common Mistakes

Choosing Manual sort without setting the order

Manual sort requires you to arrange items yourself; without doing this, the order may seem random

After selecting Manual sort, drag items in the view to set the desired order

Expecting sort to apply to all worksheets automatically

Sort settings apply only to the current worksheet or field instance

Set sorting individually on each worksheet or use a shared field with consistent sorting

Summary

Field sort lets you organize data alphabetically or by the original data source order.

You control sorting through the Sort dialog box accessed by right-clicking the field.

Remember that sorting applies per worksheet and manual sorting needs you to arrange items.

Practice

1. What does sorting fields alphabetically in Tableau do?

easy

A. It changes the data source order permanently.

B. It arranges fields in the Data pane from A to Z by their names.

C. It sorts data rows in the worksheet alphabetically.

D. It filters out fields that don't start with a letter.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand field sorting in Tableau

   Sorting fields alphabetically arranges the field names in the Data pane from A to Z.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from data sorting

   This sorting affects only the field list, not the data rows or data source order.

3. Final Answer:

   It arranges fields in the Data pane from A to Z by their names. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Field names sorted alphabetically = It arranges fields in the Data pane from A to Z by their names. [OK]

Hint: Alphabetic sort orders field names A to Z in the Data pane [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing field sorting with data row sorting
• Thinking it changes data source order
• Assuming it filters fields

2. Which menu option in Tableau lets you sort fields by data source order?

easy

A. Right-click Data pane > Sort > Data Source Order

B. Right-click Data pane > Sort > Alphabetic

C. Worksheet menu > Sort Fields > Data Source

D. Data menu > Sort > Manual

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate sorting options in Tableau

   Right-clicking the Data pane shows a Sort submenu with options including Alphabetic and Data Source Order.

2. Step 2: Identify correct option for data source order

   Selecting 'Data Source Order' sorts fields as they appear in the original data source.

3. Final Answer:

   Right-click Data pane > Sort > Data Source Order -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Data Source Order sorting = Right-click Data pane > Sort > Data Source Order [OK]

Hint: Right-click Data pane > Sort > Data Source Order for original field order [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing Alphabetic instead of Data Source Order
• Looking in Worksheet or Data menu instead of Data pane
• Selecting Manual sort which is not for data source order

3. If you sort fields alphabetically in Tableau, which field order will you see in the Data pane?
Fields: Sales, Profit, Customer, Date

medium

A. Profit, Sales, Customer, Date

B. Sales, Profit, Customer, Date

C. Date, Customer, Profit, Sales

D. Customer, Date, Profit, Sales

Solution

1. Step 1: List fields alphabetically

   Sort the fields by their names alphabetically: Customer, Date, Profit, Sales.

2. Step 2: Compare with given options

   Customer, Date, Profit, Sales matches the alphabetical order exactly.

3. Final Answer:

   Customer, Date, Profit, Sales -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Alphabetic order = Customer, Date, Profit, Sales [OK]

Hint: Alphabetic sort orders fields by name A to Z [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming original data source order is kept
• Mixing up alphabetical order
• Choosing random order

4. You tried to sort fields by data source order but the fields remain alphabetically sorted. What is the likely issue?

medium

A. You need to refresh the data source first.

B. Tableau does not support sorting by data source order.

C. You did not select 'Data Source Order' in the sort menu.

D. Fields cannot be sorted in the Data pane.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand sorting options

   Tableau supports sorting fields by Alphabetic or Data Source Order via the Data pane menu.

2. Step 2: Identify common user mistake

   If fields remain alphabetically sorted, likely the user did not choose 'Data Source Order' explicitly.

3. Final Answer:

   You did not select 'Data Source Order' in the sort menu. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Not selecting correct sort option = You did not select 'Data Source Order' in the sort menu. [OK]

Hint: Always confirm 'Data Source Order' is selected to change sort [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming Tableau lacks data source order sorting
• Forgetting to refresh data source
• Thinking fields cannot be sorted

5. You have a Data pane with fields ordered as: Region, Sales, Profit, Date. You want to sort fields alphabetically but keep 'Date' always last. How can you achieve this in Tableau?

hard

A. Sort alphabetically, then manually drag 'Date' to the bottom.

B. Sort by data source order and rename 'Date' to start with 'Z'.

C. Use a calculated field to exclude 'Date' from sorting.

D. Tableau does not allow custom sorting of fields.

Solution

1. Step 1: Apply alphabetic sort

   Sort fields alphabetically to order them by name automatically.

2. Step 2: Manually adjust 'Date' position

   Drag the 'Date' field manually to the bottom to keep it last.

3. Final Answer:

   Sort alphabetically, then manually drag 'Date' to the bottom. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Manual drag after sort = Sort alphabetically, then manually drag 'Date' to the bottom. [OK]

Hint: Sort alphabetically, then drag exceptions manually [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking data source order can fix custom exceptions
• Trying to exclude fields via calculation
• Believing Tableau disallows manual field order