> For AI agents: the complete documentation index is available at /en/llms.txt, the full documentation bundle is available at /en/llms-full.txt.

# JSON Sort & Group

[JSON Sort & Group](https://tools.newzone.top/en/json-sort-classify) reshuffles a JSON array by rules you pick. At its core is one single-field sort; optionally, a **group field** buckets items first and the same sort strategy runs inside each bucket — **you learn one thing, use it in two places**.

![JSON Sort & Group interface](/img/json-sort-classify-en.webp "JSON Sort & Group interface")

:::tip 30-second quickstart

1. Paste or upload your JSON array
2. Pick a **sort method** (Custom Order / Numeric Asc / Numeric Desc)
3. Fill in the **sort field** (which key to sort by, e.g. `name`, `price`)
4. **Group field** is optional — fill to bucket first, leave empty to sort the whole array
5. Click **Process** — array reshuffled per your rules

:::

## How it works

**Group field (optional)**

- Empty: sorts the whole array once
- Filled: buckets items by this field (buckets ordered by first appearance), then sorts inside each bucket

**Sort strategy + sort field** always apply, whether or not you grouped. Three strategies:

| Strategy     | What it does                                                                                                                            |
| ------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Custom order | Write the desired order line-by-line in the textbox. **Values not in the list — and an empty list — keep their first-appearance order** |
| Numeric asc  | Smallest to largest by the sort field                                                                                                   |
| Numeric desc | Largest to smallest by the sort field                                                                                                   |

## Example 1: single-field custom order

```json
[{ "name": "Apple" }, { "name": "Banana" }, { "name": "Orange" }]
```

To show them as "Banana, Apple, Orange":

- Group field: leave empty
- Sort strategy: Custom order
- Sort field: `name`
- Custom order:

```
Banana
Apple
Orange
```

## Example 2: group first, sort each group by value

```json
[
  { "type": "Fruit", "price": 5 },
  { "type": "Drink", "price": 3 },
  { "type": "Fruit", "price": 2 },
  { "type": "Drink", "price": 8 }
]
```

Group by `type`, then sort each group by `price` ascending:

- Group field: `type`
- Sort strategy: Numeric asc
- Sort field: `price`

Result: Fruit comes first (it appeared first), its items ordered by price asc; then all Drink items, also asc.

## Three common patterns

- **Group only, preserve original within groups**: Group field = category key; strategy = Custom order with an empty list.
- **Group then sort by another field**: Group field = category key; strategy = Numeric asc/desc, sort field = numeric key.
- **Custom order across the whole array**: Leave group field empty; strategy = Custom order with the full list.

## Other features

- **File upload**: Drag and drop a JSON file instead of pasting.
- **JSONPath**: Field inputs accept nested paths (e.g. `zh.name`).
- **Export**: Copy or download the result.