Is it possible to reorder a list alphabetically?

[Ken Nielsen]

Maybe there is a third party app, or possibly a way to re-order a list alphabetically in InDesign?

[Barb Binder · Accepted solution]

Hi @Ken Nielsen:

Did you try the Sort Paragaphs script in the Scripts panel? That should take care of it for you.

https://creativepro.com/sort-paragraphs-text-indesign/

~Barb 

[Ken Nielsen]

Excellent, Have not tried yet but I'm confident that this will do it for me. Thank You Barb!

[Peter Kahrel]

The script that Barb recommends worls fine on short lists. If your list is long it will take a long time to finish. You can then try this (free) script: https://www.indiscripts.com/post/2020/08/smartsort-1-05-new-design-new-options

[Ken Nielsen]

Great Hellp Peter, Thank You.

[JessicaRTM]

I was looking for this exact solution just now and found this script worked very well for my use case. However, I wanted to ask if there was a way to run this script without it removing the return spaces between my list of items when alphabetizing? I have tried the script both with "ignore spaces" selected and unselected and it seems to remove the return both ways. Example attached illustrates my question - I am wanting the outcome to be the list on the right. Thanks!

[Peter Kahrel]

That's not possible. But if you add space-before in the applied paragraph style you'll keep the space.

[Barb Binder]

Hi Ken:

We are always happy to help! 😊

~Barb