What is Manual Sorting?

A Comprehensive Look at Manual Sorting Techniques

Manual sorting involves the ability to manipulate the order of files and folders according to specific preferences. While most users might find automatic sorting methods—such as arranging files alphabetically or by date—adequate, there are numerous scenarios where having precise control over the sequence can be beneficial. For instance, in a digital library, a researcher might want to categorize documents based on priority rather than alphabetically.

To delve deeper into the specifics, please visit our website.

To enable manual sorting mode in a software application, users must activate it through a particular command. This can be accomplished by using the Set MANUALSORT command or by selecting the Sorting Options / Manual sorting option under the Display tab in the Folder Options dialog. Importantly, this mode can be retained as a permanent setting by saving the folder format accordingly.

When manual sorting is activated, if a sort order has been previously established and saved for that folder, the files will automatically rearrange according to the defined order. If no prior configuration exists, merely turning on manual sorting won't have an immediate visual effect on the file list.

In detail view or power mode, a designated button appears adjacent to the column header when manual sort mode is engaged. Clicking this button will present a control menu with several commands relevant to managing manual sorting.

Steps to Reorganize Your Folders with Manual Sorting

When manual sort mode is active, users can reposition a file through a simple drag-and-drop action or utilize the keyboard by pressing Shift + Alt in combination with the arrow keys.

By default, any modifications made during manual sorting will be saved automatically unless restricted by specific settings. For users seeking flexibility to adjust their sorting without pursuing permanent changes, the option to disable the automatic save feature can be found in Preferences. Furthermore, to maintain a certain order, users must explicitly save it using the Save Sort Order command.

At any point, it is possible to reset the sorting to an automatic configuration—like alphabetical order—using the Reset Sort Order command.

Creating Multiple Custom Sort Orders

Typically, a folder is limited to a single manual sort order. However, users can create additional named orders through the Miscellaneous / Advanced / manual_sort_names option in Preferences. This flexibility allows for easy switching between various sort orders through the column header’s control menu.

The Folder Options dialog also provides a drop-down menu on the Display tab featuring all the defined named sort orders, allowing users to set a preference for each folder. Additionally, the Set MANUALSORT command facilitates the transition to a specific sorting method via command input.

To explore more about these features, please visit Keefam.

Understanding Scripting in Manual Sorting

The Format script object encompasses several properties associated with manual sorting:

• manual_sort: Indicates True if manual sorting is in effect.

• manual_sort_name: Displays the name of the current manual sort or remains empty if unnamed.

• manual_sort_order: Provides a SortOrder object for querying and modifying the current sort configuration.

  The SortOrder object acquired through the manual_sort_order property includes:

• GetOrder: Delivers a Vector of strings representing the folder’s current sort order; optional parameters allow for specifying named sorts.

• SetOrder: Accepts a Vector of strings to establish the desired sort order.

• ResetOrder: Resets the folder’s sort order to the default, with optional parameters for named sorts.

Recognizing Manual Sorting Limitations

Presently, manual sort settings cannot be saved within certain folders:

• Non-NTFS disk folders (such as FAT/FAT32)

• Archived files

• FTP folders

By default, manual sorting is entirely disabled in folders where the order cannot be preserved. However, if the Folders / Folder Behaviour / Allow manual sorting in all folders setting is enabled in Preferences, manual sorting will be accessible in all contexts, albeit changes will be temporary for those folder types.

It’s important to note that manual sorting is not functional in Flat View or when files are visually grouped. Furthermore, complications arise when compatibility files are displayed alongside multiple files with identical names.

Manual vs Automated: A Comparative Analysis of Document Sorting

Manual Data Processing is characterized by human intervention, where data is manually entered, evaluated, and understood. Though this approach is labor-intensive, it allows for meticulous attention to complex datasets.

Automatic Data Processing, on the other hand, leverages technological tools to aggregate, examine, and process information without human input. This method significantly increases speed and minimizes errors, making it more efficient for handling extensive datasets.

Feel free to reach out to us to discuss your requirements for a Manual Sorting Chute. Our knowledgeable sales team is ready to help you select the most suitable options for your needs.