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How to sort folders first, then files?

When using Dropbox.com, subfolders are sorted below any loose files. Is there a way to flip this so the folders sort first like in Windows Explorer?

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Jane

Hey @Luke5869, if your inquiry pertains to the sorting options you’re seeing in the Files page, kindly note that you should be able to change your sorting method by clicking on the headers of the columns.

If you’d like the folders to show first, then please click on Name and then (from the drop-down menu) click on Ascending. You can also sort folders first by clicking on the Modified (or second) column and selecting Type again from the drop-down menu.

Hopefully my message addresses your initial inquiry & please do let me know if you have further questions or in case you need further assistance in any way Luke!

All comments

Mark

You can click on 'Type' and change to ascending and descending according to that there, but, this doesnt necessarily group according to file/folder (e.g. PDF is a type as is Word).

Jane

Hey @buddyboy101, I hope my message finds you well!

As a follow-up to your post here, I’ve ran a search on our system on my end, I’ve located your open ticket & I’ve notified my colleague handling your inquiry on your comments here.

Please check your inbox for their latest message & keep them updated on that email chain if you’d like to discuss the matter in more detail.

Rest assured that you’re in safe hands from now on & I hope this gets clarified soon for you. Wishing you a fruitful & creative week ahead!

Luke5869

I have the same issue, this is a big problem, any way to get folders first, then files?

Jane

Hopefully my message addresses your initial inquiry & please do let me know if you have further questions or in case you need further assistance in any way Luke!

Lantzr

@Jane Thank you, this worked! Totally not intuitive though. You would not think ordering by name is required to sort by type! But I am happy to know how to do it.

Jane

Happy to hear that this has been helpful to you @Lantzr! Please feel free to ping us here for more #DropboxTips&Tricks or just in case you have any observations in the future & it’ll be a pleasure to work with you again. Take care until then & have a relaxed weekend ahead!

marciofirmo

Hello, I have the same problem of @buddyboy101, how can I solve it @Jane?

@buddyboy101 wrote:
When using Dropbox.com, subfolders are sorted below any loose files. Is there a way to flip this so the folders sort first like in Windows Explorer?

Jane

Hey @marciofirmo, I have now changed the Best Answer on this thread, as my second post has been addressing this inquiry more accurately. Would you mind having a second look whenever you have a bit of spare time?

Alternatively, if I’m wrong in my understanding & this doesn’t help you achieve the desired result, could you outline me how you’ve pictured that, so as to make sure I’m advising correctly? Thanks in advance Marcio!

PaulSlocum

Maybe this solution used to work, but it no longer does. Sorting by name does not put folders first, it just sorts everything alphabetically by name with folders mixed into the files as you would expect.

Lantzr

You're right... It did work when I first found this thread but not anymore.

Jane

Hey @PaulSlocum & @Lantzr, thanks for the nudge!

Could you specify where you’re getting stuck/there’s a change for you, just to see if I can re-create the behavior?

I look forward to hearing back from you!

Lantzr

Two days ago it was not working. However, I just logged in an magically my files are ordered with Folders first.

PaulSlocum

Not really much to say: I choose "Sort by Name" like you said, but the folders are still sorted alphabetically and are not put first.

Jane

Great @Lantzr; happy to hear this has been a one-off for you! Happy Dropboxing!

Following-up to your question @PaulSlocum, can you also confirm that you’ve also chosen Type on the Modified (i.e. second) column?

Give me a nudge with this info when you have a spare minute. Thanks again!

grosland

Sorting works fine to place folders superior to files on my windows based products, but not on my iPhone oe iPad.
grosland

Daphne

Hey there @grosland, thanks for joining the topic!

At the moment, there isn't an option to specify folders to appear at the top of the sorting list, either in the Dropbox mobile app or the Files app.

We do currently have a request for a feature like this here which I can suggest checking out and showing your support for with an upvote.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Scsmith

So how to do this on the Android app? Regardless of sort order, folders should come at the top, as that's the structure item, not the content. With files at the top, you have to scroll down in every folder to get to the subfolders, then again, and again, and again! Not very user friendly!