How to Output Natural Order for Items Along with Automatic Order in WordPress
Sorting in WordPress often involves various methodologies, each designed to achieve different outcomes based on the type of data being sorted. One common challenge is ordering items naturally, especially when dealing with titles or names that include numbers. For instance, consider the difference between sorting items alphabetically versus sorting them in “natural order,” where numerical values are taken into account more intuitively.
Understanding the Problem
Let’s say you have a list of post titles like this:
- Title 1
- Title 21
- Title 22
- Title 3
Using the default sorting method in WordPress, which applies a basic text-based algorithm (using the SORT_REGULAR flag), the list would typically be ordered as:
- Title 1
- Title 21
- Title 22
- Title 3
However, this doesn’t align with the natural human expectation, where numbers within strings should be considered. A natural sort would instead arrange the items as:
- Title 1
- Title 3
- Title 21
- Title 22
To achieve this natural order in WordPress, you can combine Automatic Order with a Custom Function callback using the Advanced Post Types Order plugin.
Implementing Natural Order with a Custom Function
To enable natural sorting for your WordPress items, you need to integrate a custom sort function. Here’s how you can do this:
-
- Create a Custom Sort Function: This function will handle the natural sorting of your items. The function takes the list of posts and applies the
natsort()function to reorder them.function custom_sort_function( $post_list, $sort_view_id, $orderBy, $query ) { if ( count($post_list) < 1 ) return $post_list; //retrieve the title of objects $objects_map = array(); foreach($post_list as $post_id ) { $post_data = get_post( $post_id ); $objects_map[$post_id] = $post_data->post_title; } //apply natural sorting natsort( $objects_map ); $post_list = array_keys( $objects_map ); return $post_list; } - Use the Custom Function in the Plugin: Once the function is defined, you can use it within the Advanced Post Types Order plugin. The plugin provides a Custom Function entry field where you can reference your custom sorting logic.
- Create a Custom Sort Function: This function will handle the natural sorting of your items. The function takes the list of posts and applies the
How to Set Up the Automatic Order with the Custom Function
- Access the Plugin Settings: Go to the Advanced Post Types Order interface in your WordPress dashboard.
- Configure the Automatic Order: Select the desired post type and enable Automatic Order.
- Enter the Custom Function: In the Custom Function field, input the name of your function,
custom_sort_function. - Apply and Save: After configuring the settings, save the changes. The plugin will now use your custom function to sort the posts in natural order.
Advantages of Combining Natural Order with Automatic Order
- Enhanced User Experience: Items are ordered in a way that makes sense to users, especially when dealing with numbered titles or categories.
- Flexibility: The custom function allows you to extend or modify the sorting logic to fit specific needs.
- Real-Time Application: As with all sorting done via the Advanced Post Types Order plugin, changes are applied instantly without requiring manual reordering or additional coding.
Combining Automatic Order with a custom natural sorting function in WordPress is a powerful way to enhance how content is displayed on your site. By understanding the underlying mechanisms and leveraging the flexibility of custom functions, you can ensure that your content is always presented in the most logical and user-friendly order. Whether you’re managing product catalogs, blog posts, or other content types, this approach provides both control and ease of use, making it a valuable addition to your WordPress toolkit.