How can I sort entries by ascending integers?

Question

I am trying to use a custom field sort_order to order entries by setting the Field Content type of a Text Input to Integer.

I'm using EE2.

Expected behavior:

1. Entry 1 with a sort_order of 10
2. Entry 2 with a sort_order of 20
3. Entry 3 with a sort_order of 110

Actual behavior:

1. Entry 1 with a sort_order of 10
2. Entry 3 with a sort_order of 110
3. Entry 2 with a sort_order of 20

Channel Field:

• Field Type: Text Input
• Field Label: Sort Order
• Short Name: sort_order
• Field Options > Field Content: Integer

Template:

{exp:channel:entries channel="work" orderby="sort_order" sort="asc"}

Update

I tried creating a plugin and setting orderby like this: orderby="{exp:parse_int data={sort_order}}". Won't entry parameters always be converted to strings since they are wrapped in "?

Update

Decided to just ensure that my number strings are two digits long so they are in the correct alphabetical order e.g. 01 02 03... 99.

Answer 1

I think the Custom field sort_order may have value in string format. That's why it is not working.You need to convert it into integer format then try with it.

You can convert it by making small pi.plugin_name.php and wrirting code to convert string to integer. Then place your {exp:plugin_name} code in orderby parameter of Channel entries loop.

I hope above solution will work for you.

Answer 2

I cannot replicate your results.

Created a new channel "test" with a single field "counter" set to Text with field entry set to "integer".

Built template with this code:

<h1>Sorting Test</h1>
<h2>Sort with orderby="entry_id" sort="asc"</h2>
<ul>
{exp:channel:entries channel="test" orderby="entry_id" sort="asc"}
    <li>{title} - {counter}</li>
{/exp:channel:entries}
</ul>
<h2>Sort with orderby="counter" sort="asc"</h2>
<ul>
{exp:channel:entries channel="test" orderby="counter" sort="asc"}
    <li>{title} - {counter}</li>
{/exp:channel:entries}
</ul>

This gives the following output:

Sorting Test

Sort with orderby="entry_id" sort="asc"

• entry 1 - 10
• entry 2 - 200
• entry 3 - 110
• entry 4 - 20
• entry 5 - 230
• entry 6 - 220
• entry 7 - 120

Sort with orderby="counter" sort="asc"

• entry 1 - 10
• entry 4 - 20
• entry 3 - 110
• entry 7 - 120
• entry 2 - 200
• entry 6 - 220
• entry 5 - 230

Works (i.e. tested) with EE2 and EE4 ... :)