This request is somewhat involved so I'll start with an explanation. I hope this hasn't been requested elsewhere, here goes ...

I believe there are two methods for sorting a playlist in fb2k using columns_ui, these being:

1. Edit->Sort->(your choice)

or

2. File->Preferences->Display->Columns_UI->Playlist view->General (tab)
Then selecting the "Enable sorting using column titles" option. Then just clicking on column titles.

This second option is my preferred method of sorting - clicking the titles of the columns seems more intuitive and easily done. One problem with this second method is that I cannot sort the playlist first by say bitrate, then title, then date. I intuitively expect that I should be able to do this by clicking first the date, then title, then bitrate.

So my request is that a feature be implemented so that if column X is clicked, then column Y, then column Z, the playlist will be sorted first by Z, then Y, then X.

To elaborate: the default setting when installing columns_ui 0.1.3 beta 1v6 in "Edit->Sort->Sort by ..." is:
"%ALBUM ARTIST% - %DATE% - %ALBUM% - %DISCNUMBER% - %TRACKNUMBER% - %TITLE%".

So if I click the Title column this order 'effectively' changes to:
"%TITLE% - %ALBUM ARTIST% - %DATE% - %ALBUM% - %DISCNUMBER% - %TRACKNUMBER%".

If I now click on the Date column the order will change to:
"%DATE% - %ALBUM ARTIST% - %ALBUM% - %DISCNUMBER% - %TRACKNUMBER% - %TITLE%".

My request is that a feature be implemented so that the order will now be:
"%DATE% - %TITLE% - %ALBUM ARTIST% - %ALBUM% - %DISCNUMBER% - %TRACKNUMBER%".

Many media players have title bar sorting, but I have yet to see this type of functionality in any; don't know whether this is too complex to implement or there are some other stumbling blocks, what do you think?

Use the Custom Sort Order.

Edit: Sorry I just saw that you want the Custom Sort Order to automatically be created by clicking the column titles. Well, for the life of me, *I* can't imagine why *I* will need that. It's not that difficult creating a Custom Sort Order.

Just an update (apologies for the long delay) I have since found a single media centre can perform this sort of easy custom sorting; it is Media Center by J. River. . A trial version can be found at http://www.jrmediacenter.com/download.html, however you have to register.

I still prefer foobar for its customizability, etc. else I wouldn't be posting, please let me know if anyone else has any thoughts on this request.



No it's not that difficult to create a single Custom-Sort-Order, but if you want to continuously change your Custom-Sort-Order this would be a useful addition. Personally I would use it extensively - perhaps it is not popular though.

Huh? I have been able to sort in any order I want in foobar both with v0.8x and v0.9x (currently using v0.9.4). It has come in handy quite a few times for masstagging scripts, as well as just for easilly finding what I'm looking to listen to. I suspect you're doing something a little strange for it not to work.

I don't think this is being understood very well. The proposed feature would be implemented to speed up custom sorting.



I have never had a problem using this feature or getting it to work - but can't perform a custom sort in under 2 seconds as I would be able to using the above method and simple mouse clicks on respective columns!

Is there something I'm missing, is this feature already available somehow - without retyping i.e. not 'Edit->Sort->Sort by ...' and then typing a specific order?