Is there a way to sort a collection in Webflow based on option fields, or is sorting only available for text fields? If it's possible to sort on option fields, how can I do this?

Published on
September 22, 2023

Yes, it is possible to sort a collection in Webflow based on option fields. By default, Webflow only allows sorting based on text fields. However, with a little bit of customization, you can achieve sorting based on option fields as well. Here's how you can do it:

  1. Create an option field: First, you need to create an option field within your collection. To do this, go to your collection settings and add a field of type "Option". Add the desired options that you want to sort by.

  2. Create a numerical field: Next, create a numerical field within the same collection. This field will be used to assign each option a numerical value, which will be used for sorting. Make sure the numerical field is displayed as a hidden field so that it doesn't interfere with the design.

  3. Assign numerical values to options: In each collection item, assign a unique numerical value to the corresponding option. For example, if you have an option field called "Size" with options like "Small", "Medium", and "Large", you can assign numerical values like 1, 2, and 3 respectively. This will determine the sorting order.

  4. Customize the sort order: After assigning numerical values to options, go to the collection list on your website page and add a custom code before the list. In this custom code, you can use JavaScript to sort the collection based on the numerical field you created. You can use a sorting algorithm like the one provided by JavaScript's "Array.sort()" method to achieve this.

  5. Display the sorted collection: Finally, you can display the sorted collection by binding the collection list to the sorted data using Webflow's dynamic data feature. Make sure to limit the items displayed to the desired number and apply any necessary styling to ensure the layout looks as intended.

By following these steps, you can effectively sort a collection in Webflow based on option fields. This allows you to create dynamic and customized sorting options for your website visitors.

Example code:

Here's an example of how the custom code might look like:

<script>  setTimeout(function() {    var collectionList = document.querySelector('.collection-list');    var items = Array.from(collectionList.children);      items.sort(function(a, b) {      var valueA = parseInt(a.getAttribute('data-numerical-field'));      var valueB = parseInt(b.getAttribute('data-numerical-field'));          return valueA - valueB;    });      items.forEach(function(item) {      collectionList.appendChild(item);    });  }, 1000);</script>

Please note that this is just a basic example, and you may need to modify the code to suit your specific collection and sorting requirements. Additionally, it's recommended to thoroughly test the code and make any necessary adjustments to ensure it works correctly.

Now, you have the ability to sort your Webflow collection based on option fields, expanding your sorting capabilities beyond just text fields.

3 additional questions:

  1. How can I create an option field in Webflow?
  2. Can I assign multiple options to a single collection item in Webflow?
  3. Is it possible to automate the sorting process for a Webflow collection?