How to sort alphabetically in Visual Studio Code?

To sort lines alphabetically in Visual Studio Code, you can leverage either its built-in commands or enhance its capabilities with powerful extensions. Both methods offer quick ways to organize your code or text.

How to Sort Alphabetically in Visual Studio Code?

You can sort text alphabetically in Visual Studio Code by using the built-in "Sort Lines" commands accessible via the Command Palette, or by installing a dedicated extension that provides convenient shortcuts like F9.

1. Using Built-in Commands (Command Palette)

Visual Studio Code includes native commands for sorting lines in ascending or descending order. This method is available by default, without needing to install any extensions.

Steps:

1. Select the Lines: Highlight the specific lines of text you wish to sort. If no lines are selected, the command might apply to the entire document or not function as expected, depending on the context.
2. Open the Command Palette: Press Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+P (macOS) to open the Command Palette.
3. Execute the Sort Command:
   • Type Sort Lines Ascending and press Enter to sort the selected lines alphabetically from A to Z.
   • Type Sort Lines Descending and press Enter to sort the selected lines in reverse alphabetical order (Z to A).

Example:

Suppose you have the following lines:

banana
apple
grape
cherry

1. Select these lines.
2. Open Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P).
3. Type Sort Lines Ascending and press Enter.

The result will be:

apple
banana
cherry
grape

2. Using a "Sort Lines" Extension

For a more streamlined experience, especially if you frequently sort text, consider installing a dedicated "Sort Lines" extension. These extensions often provide convenient keyboard shortcuts.

One popular extension, known simply as "Sort lines," allows for quick alphabetical sorting with a single key press.

Steps to use such an extension:

1. Install the Extension:
   • Open the Extensions view by clicking the Extensions icon on the Activity Bar on the side of VS Code (or press Ctrl+Shift+X / Cmd+Shift+X).
   • In the search bar, type Sort lines.
   • Look for an extension with good ratings and a high number of downloads (e.g., the "Sort lines" extension by pateldeepak) and click Install.
2. Select Lines: Highlight the lines of text you want to sort.
3. Press the Shortcut: With the "Sort lines" extension installed, you can simply press F9 to instantly arrange your selected text in alphabetical (ascending) order. This provides a rapid way to reorder items such as lists, CSS properties, or import statements.

3. Practical Tips for Sorting

• Case Sensitivity: By default, VS Code's built-in sort commands typically perform a case-sensitive sort (e.g., 'Apple' comes before 'banana'). Some extensions might offer options for case-insensitive sorting.
• Sorting Entire Files: If no text is selected when using the built-in "Sort Lines" commands, they may attempt to sort the entire document.
• Custom Keybindings: You can assign your own custom keybindings to the built-in "Sort Lines" commands or commands provided by extensions.
  • Open the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P).
  • Type Open Keyboard Shortcuts and press Enter.
  • Search for sort lines and click the plus icon next to the command to add your desired keybinding.
• Advanced Sorting: For more complex sorting scenarios (e.g., sorting by specific columns, unique lines only, or reverse order), many "Sort lines" extensions offer additional commands and settings. Explore the documentation of the specific extension you install for its full capabilities.

Popular Sort Extensions in VS Code

While the Sort lines extension is noted for its F9 shortcut, several others offer similar or expanded functionality:

By utilizing these methods, you can efficiently organize your code and text files, enhancing readability and maintainability within Visual Studio Code.