Order numbered files
- Input or situation
- file10 file2 file1
- Result
- file1 file2 file10
Natural order reads the digit sequences as numbers. Ordinary A–Z ordering puts file10 before file2.
Text
Sort lines alphabetically, by length or naturally
Sort any list alphabetically, by length, in natural order or at random. Natural order is the one you usually want for filenames — it puts file2 before file10.
Runs in your browser — your input is not uploaded to ToolsNow.
Your list
0 chars0 words0 lines
Sorted lines
0 chars0 words0 lines
How to use
- Paste your list. One item per line.
- Choose a sort order. A–Z, Z–A, natural, by length, reversed, or shuffled.
- Refine if needed. Optionally ignore case, keep blank lines, or remove duplicates at the same time.
Questions
What is natural sort order?
It reads runs of digits as numbers rather than text, so file2 comes before file10. Plain alphabetical sorting puts file10 first because "1" sorts before "2" character by character.
How does sorting handle accented characters?
It uses your browser’s locale-aware collation, so é sorts next to e rather than after z. That matches how a dictionary in most European languages orders words.
Is the shuffle properly random?
It uses a Fisher–Yates shuffle, which gives every ordering an equal chance. Press "Shuffle again" for a fresh order — it will not reshuffle under you while you type.
Can I sort and deduplicate at once?
Yes. Tick "Also remove duplicates" and the list is deduplicated before sorting.
Examples and checks
Each line is one item. Choose natural sorting for numbered filenames, alphabetical sorting for words, and numeric data tools when a column needs calculations rather than ordering.
Before you use the result
- Sorting lines changes their positions. Do not sort one column of a multi-column record separately from the others.
- Accented letters follow your browser’s locale. For an exact cross-system comparison, agree on a locale and case-sensitivity rule first.
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