# Sort a repeating group on the nth element of a list variable **URL:** \ **Category:** Need help\ **Created:** [August 12, 2022, 5:57pm UTC](https://forum.bubble.io/t/sort-a-repeating-group-on-the-nth-element-of-a-list-variable/219760 "2022-08-12T17:57:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nedmohr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f1d935/32.png) [@nedmohr](https://forum.bubble.io/u/nedmohr)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 5:57pm UTC](https://forum.bubble.io/t/sort-a-repeating-group-on-the-nth-element-of-a-list-variable/219760/1 "2022-08-12T17:57:35Z")
Hello all, I’m trying to sort a repeating group on the nth element of a list variable. List variables don’t seem to be available from the “sort by” box in the search dialogue. I tried using List Shifter, which at least lets me access list variables, but when I try to indicate which element to sort on, Bubble turns it red and tells me that the results is a single number rather than a list. ![test](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/bubble/original/3X/5/3/535416cfd9c0631fc1307aea29918c6b8789630a.png) Any hacks appreciated. Bonus points if you can tell me the obvious thing that I’m missing. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![bubble.trouble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@bubble.trouble](https://forum.bubble.io/u/bubble.trouble)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 6:19pm UTC](https://forum.bubble.io/t/sort-a-repeating-group-on-the-nth-element-of-a-list-variable/219760/2 "2022-08-12T18:19:18Z")
Filtering is different than sorting. The topic of the post and first sentence says filter but then you proceed into talking about sorting with a screen capture of sorting. Maybe it is clear to others but I’m presently uncertain if your question is in reference to filtering sorting or both. ---
**Author:** ![nedmohr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f1d935/32.png) [@nedmohr](https://forum.bubble.io/u/nedmohr)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 8:46pm UTC](https://forum.bubble.io/t/sort-a-repeating-group-on-the-nth-element-of-a-list-variable/219760/3 "2022-08-12T20:46:42Z")
Ugh. That’s super embarrassing. I fixed the title to reflect my intent. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![bubble.trouble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@bubble.trouble](https://forum.bubble.io/u/bubble.trouble)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2022, 9:09pm UTC](https://forum.bubble.io/t/sort-a-repeating-group-on-the-nth-element-of-a-list-variable/219760/4 "2022-08-12T21:09:45Z")
I am not familiar enough with the ListShifter plugin (other then I know it’s a good plugin from a good author), but just using what Bubble provides, they offer a dynamic sort field. Keep in mind sorting is based on a field name in Bubble i.e sort Months by MonthNumber (where Months is a Data Type and MonthNumber is a field on the Months Data Type). A dynamic sort field implies that the value you are providing is some field that exists on a DataType. It’s not completely clear to me based on the wording of your question if you are looking for this or something different. Here is an example: ![Screenshot 2022-08-12 at 5.04.48 PM](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/bubble/original/3X/1/9/19edc71658d5a1f7cb9e96bd634e275f79b632a8.png) Data Types defined as follows: ![Screenshot 2022-08-12 at 5.08.55 PM](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/bubble/original/3X/0/d/0d220a31820d1933a777419fcae0e56880e9b536.png) ![Screenshot 2022-08-12 at 5.09.02 PM](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/bubble/original/3X/2/9/292df88326f81e4218b94ea942cc940789cf40b0.png) ---
**Author:** ![nedmohr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f1d935/32.png) [@nedmohr](https://forum.bubble.io/u/nedmohr)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 12:25pm UTC](https://forum.bubble.io/t/sort-a-repeating-group-on-the-nth-element-of-a-list-variable/219760/5 "2022-08-15T12:25:41Z")
I eventually solved this by passing a custom state to List Shifter. When creating a custom state you are able to make a list from the nth value from each list in a list of lists. I was then able to pass this custom state list to List Shifter, which then sorted the list. Hopefully this helps someone else. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/bubble/original/3X/2/8/2847faa74692c2ffa5d939d3dc3724cdd060d247.png) [@system](https://forum.bubble.io/u/system)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2022, 5:58pm UTC](https://forum.bubble.io/t/sort-a-repeating-group-on-the-nth-element-of-a-list-variable/219760/6 "2022-10-21T17:58:08Z")
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