---
title: Sorting documents
description: Disclosure Ready allows you to control how documents are ordered within a matter and inside individual folders. Sorting helps you organise documents in a way that supports your workflow and makes it easier to locate specific files. There are four…
url: "https://disclosureready.legalready.ai/knowledge/sorting-documents/"
updated: "2026-08-06"
category: Document Management
---

# Sorting documents

Disclosure Ready allows you to control how documents are ordered within a matter and inside individual folders. Sorting helps you organise documents in a way that supports your workflow and makes it easier to locate specific files.

There are four sorting options available:

- **Manual / User-defined** — documents appear in the order defined by the user
- **Field: Date** — documents are ordered chronologically by document date
- **Field: Disclosed** — documents are grouped by disclosure status
- **Field: Document name** — documents are ordered alphabetically by document name

## **Sorting documents at the matter level**

The matter-level sorting option sets the default order for documents across the entire matter.

1. Open the matter and go to the **Setup** tab
2. Select **Settings** from the left-hand panel
3. Under **Document sorting**, select your preferred option from the **Default sort by attribute** dropdown

![](https://disclosureready.legalready.ai/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-09-at-18.38.02-1024x576.png)

**Note**: For **Field: Date** and **Field: Document name**, you can also enable **Sort in reverse order** to reverse the default direction (e.g. newest to oldest for dates, or Z–A for document names).

## **Sorting documents within folders**

Individual folders can have their own sorting order, separate from the matter-level setting. This lets you organise specific folders differently depending on the type of documents they contain.

To set sorting for a specific folder:

1. Open the folder within the matter
2. Click the **Cog icon** in the top right corner of the folder
3. Under **Document sorting**, select **Sort by override for the folder** and choose your preferred option

![](https://disclosureready.legalready.ai/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-09-at-18.44.18-1024x576.png)

## **Combining matter and folder sorting**

You can set the entire matter to sort by **Field: Date** for a chronological overview, while applying **Field: Document name** or **Manual / User-defined** to specific folders that contain exhibits or structured documents.

In disclosure workflows, use **Field: Disclosed** to group disclosed documents separately while keeping them alphabetically organised within the folder.

**When to use each sorting option**

| **Option ** | **Best used when ** |
| --- | --- |
| Manual / User-defined | You want full control over document order |
| Field: Date | Reviewing documents chronologically |
| Field: Disclosed | Grouping disclosed documents separately |
| Field: Document name | Documents follow a structured naming convention |

For further information or assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to our dedicated Support Team via [support@legalready.ai](mailto:support@legalready.ai)  or +61 3 9020 4456.