# How can i sort list with value from button? **URL:** \ **Category:** Ask for Help\ **Created:** [May 8, 2025, 12:16am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-can-i-sort-list-with-value-from-button/81766 "2025-05-08T00:16:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ryanp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7ea924/32.png) [@ryanp](https://community.glideapps.com/u/ryanp)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 12:16am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-can-i-sort-list-with-value-from-button/81766/1 "2025-05-08T00:16:59Z")
Hello, im trying to use a list of buttons at the top of a page and have the list display values that match the value of the button. In essence using the buttons as a sub menu or pill list. i have not been able to see how to send a value to the list from a button press. Is this possible without creating a page for each button? ---
**Author:** ![Nicolas\_Joseph](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/nicolas_joseph/32/76105_2.png) [@Nicolas\_Joseph](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Nicolas_Joseph)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 1:07am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-can-i-sort-list-with-value-from-button/81766/2 "2025-05-08T01:07:23Z")
Hello @ryanp šŸ™‚ Just to be sure we understand correctly - are you trying to filter values in a list using buttons? Something like this, for example: ![Filtering list using buttons](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/glideapps/original/3X/6/e/6e0e2ab85c9e3ec20e2361c880919b4f34e3ea30.gif) If thatā€™s the case, how many buttons are you planning to include? šŸ¤” ---
**Author:** ![ryanp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7ea924/32.png) [@ryanp](https://community.glideapps.com/u/ryanp)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 4:03am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-can-i-sort-list-with-value-from-button/81766/3 "2025-05-08T04:03:59Z")
Yes, exactly i have between 6-8 buttons ---
**Author:** ![Nicolas\_Joseph](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/nicolas_joseph/32/76105_2.png) [@Nicolas\_Joseph](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Nicolas_Joseph)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 5:48pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-can-i-sort-list-with-value-from-button/81766/4 "2025-05-08T17:48:25Z")
Okay, hereā€™s the step-by-step procedure. Be aware that there may be a better way: count on my colleagues to enlighten you on this point if necessary šŸ˜› > **Requirements** > > - 2 columns per _filter_ in the `Users` table > - 1 column to aggregate everything in the `Users` table > - 4 columns in the `Products` table (or equivalent) > - 1 workflow per _filter_ **In the `Users` table** šŸ‘‡ 1. Create a _Boolean_ column for each filter you want. Youā€™ll store here the value of the filter (like a switch). In this example, we have `Trains?`, `Cars?`, `Bikes?`, and the configuration is very simple: 2. Create a _If ā†’ Then ā†’ Else_ column. Again one for each filter. Itā€™s an easy way to display the value to the user. We use a little trick with emojis for that: 3. Create a _Make Array_ column, `Array of pills` in this example. **In the `Products` (of course, you will adapt to your specific case) table** šŸ‘‡ 1. Create a _Query_ column - `Active user` - to make sure the filters depend on the signed-in user. 2. Add a _Lookup_ column (`Array of pills`) to obtain the array we created previously for that specific user. 3. Assuming you already have the Category available in the table, create a _Template_ column to concatenate the ā€œyellow circle emojiā€ with the category name. This is `Category with emoji` (yeah, I know, amazing naming convention šŸ˜ƒ ) 4. And lastly, weā€™ll get to know if the row is part of a selected category thanks to a _If ā†’ Then ā†’ Else_ column `Category selected?` that compares the value of each row to the real value of the filter. **In the Layout** šŸ‘‡ 1. Add you collection (_List_, _Card_, _Table_, whatever you want) and use `Products` table as source. Go to Options \> Filter Data \> Category selected? is checked 2. Add a _Button block_ component. To my knowledge, itā€™s the only way to nativly force all elements to be on a single row (from left to right, without line break). Maybe in your case, you could go for 2 different components, one on top of each other, for UX purpose. Thatā€™s why I asked you the number of filters. Up to 8 in a single row might not be very elegant šŸ¤” Youā€™ll choose of course! 3. Add one Action per filter youā€™ll use to the _Button block_ component. Here there are 3 filters so 3 actions. You can already change _Style_ and _Options_ if you want and also the _Title_ of each action to bring back the values from `Trains pill`, `Cars pill` and `Bikes pill`: **In Workflows** šŸ‘‡ 1. Add a new workflow and select _App interaction_ 2. Change the name to something more logical like `Trains` and select `Users` as datasource table. 3. Now, we are going to apply the ā€œswitchā€ and create a 2 branches workflow. One will be executed when the filter is ON (and must become OFF) and one will be the exact opposite. Click on the + sign to _Add condition_ and define the condition to be _User profile \> Trains? is checked_. Then click on _Add else_. 4. Add a _Set column values_ action below the first condition and change the row to be the User profile \> User profile row. Because we are in the _Trains_ workflow when the filter is already ON, we have to change it to OFF so we just write _false_ in Trains? 5. Proceed exactly the same way to create a workflow for Bikes and another one for Cars (so again, up to 8 in your case). The _Duplicate_ option is very helpful here and avoid a lot of mistakes so donā€™t miss it! **Lastly, back to Layout** šŸ‘‡ - Change the Action associated to each button to Workflow for Users \> Bikes (or Cars, or Trainsā€¦) ![Workflows and buttons](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/glideapps/original/3X/e/1/e178f24cbc41aa40045c615393ab0a2bb9204a10.png) Everything is now OK and you can enjoy playing with your filters šŸ„³ The content of this post may seems scary due to itā€™s length but honestly, it doesnā€™t take long because you duplicate many things (columns, workflows, buttonsā€¦). Iā€™m pretty sure there are some improvments to find but this will be for another day šŸ˜ƒ Hope thatā€™s what you expected! ---
**Author:** ![ryanp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7ea924/32.png) [@ryanp](https://community.glideapps.com/u/ryanp)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 10:02pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-can-i-sort-list-with-value-from-button/81766/5 "2025-05-08T22:02:06Z")
You are the man thank you ---
**Author:** ![ThinhDinh](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/thinhdinh/32/49_2.png) [@ThinhDinh](https://community.glideapps.com/u/ThinhDinh)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 11:58pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-can-i-sort-list-with-value-from-button/81766/6 "2025-05-08T23:58:46Z")
If it acts just like a submenu and you can only have one section selected at once, Glide has a prototype in private beta that does exactly that, with you only having to configure a query based on the chosen value for it to work. ![CleanShot 2025-05-09 at 06.58.09](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/glideapps/original/3X/6/2/627b243a4ded3721d287d3cd6c09bd49824ee3c7.png) I donā€™t see any problems with it after a few days of using, though I donā€™t have information on when it would come to production. ---
**Author:** ![nathanaelb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/nathanaelb/32/43079_2.png) [@nathanaelb](https://community.glideapps.com/u/nathanaelb)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 7:58am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-can-i-sort-list-with-value-from-button/81766/7 "2025-05-09T07:58:50Z")
Itā€™s interesting that you chose to store the filter values as global values in the users table and not as user-specific values in a helper table. Any reason why you opted for one approach rather than the other? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Murphy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/darren_murphy/32/47326_2.png) [@Darren\_Murphy](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Darren_Murphy)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 8:07am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-can-i-sort-list-with-value-from-button/81766/8 "2025-05-09T08:07:23Z")
> [@nathanaelb](#): > > Itā€™s interesting that you chose to store the filter values as global values in the users table and not as user-specific values in a helper table. I do that quite often. Especially if I think I might end up using those same filters elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![nathanaelb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/nathanaelb/32/43079_2.png) [@nathanaelb](https://community.glideapps.com/u/nathanaelb)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 10:46am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-can-i-sort-list-with-value-from-button/81766/9 "2025-05-09T10:46:36Z")
> [@Darren\_Murphy](#): > > Especially if I think I might end up using those same filters elsewhere. Iā€™m going to be pondering this for days. My train a thought. A user-specific column seems to be 3 columns under the hood: the recordā€™s row ID, a user row ID and a value. _If_ a user-specific value isnā€™t actually an attribute of the record and itā€™s a userā€™s preference (such as for this onscreen filter), then really a user-specific columns is now only 2 columns under the hood: a user row ID and a value. We could imagine the data of user-specific columns lives (under the hood) in the users table with row ownership applied to the row and it is displayed in other tables as a relation+lookup in one column (again under the hood). Data in user-specific columns cannot be used globally within the app. Data in the users table is easily accessible throughout the app. Based on the above and if it is correct, Iā€™m trying to think of the cases when I should be using user-specific columns and the ones when I shouldnā€™t. Back to the thread. Without giving it much thought I would have it used user-specific columns. Iā€™m definitely not saying itā€™s better. Iā€™m trying to determine if one approach is indeed preferable and if so why. Iā€™m going to sleep well tonight! I canā€™t wait. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Murphy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/darren_murphy/32/47326_2.png) [@Darren\_Murphy](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Darren_Murphy)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 10:51am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-can-i-sort-list-with-value-from-button/81766/10 "2025-05-09T10:51:44Z")
> [@nathanaelb](#): > > Data in user-specific columns cannot be used globally within the app. Data in the users table is easily accessible throughout the app. > > Based on the above and if it is correct, Iā€™m trying to think of the cases when I should be using user-specific columns and the ones when I shouldnā€™t. Perhaps I should clarify. I do both. That is, I use User Specific Columns in the User Profile row. I know that itā€™s totally unnecessary to make them User Specific, but I do it to give myself a visual cue that such columns donā€™t hold ā€œactualā€ data, but rather temporary/transient values that are used for filters, navigation, etc. Itā€™s also a hangover from my days using Google Sheets where I didnā€™t want these types of columns creating clutter in my Google Sheet. ---
**Author:** ![nathanaelb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/nathanaelb/32/43079_2.png) [@nathanaelb](https://community.glideapps.com/u/nathanaelb)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 11:01am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-can-i-sort-list-with-value-from-button/81766/11 "2025-05-09T11:01:34Z")
> [@Darren\_Murphy](#): > > That is, I use User Specific Columns in the User Profile row. I should clarify too then. Iā€™m pondering about global values in the users table and user-specific values outside of the users table. I still find all of these considerations not all that easy to work with, so the clearer my mental models the easier it is the build. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Murphy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/darren_murphy/32/47326_2.png) [@Darren\_Murphy](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Darren_Murphy)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 11:20am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-can-i-sort-list-with-value-from-button/81766/12 "2025-05-09T11:20:30Z")
Yeah, I also use the User Profile row to store globals. In fact I usually have a whole group of columns that I will prefix constants/ In those columns Iā€™ll store things like the AppID, webhook URLā€™s and the like - static values that I might need to access from anywhere in the App. For quite a while a few of us have been requesting a dedicated table type for this purpose, or at least some mechanism for defining and storing global constants that can be accessed from anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![nathanaelb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/nathanaelb/32/43079_2.png) [@nathanaelb](https://community.glideapps.com/u/nathanaelb)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 3:19pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-can-i-sort-list-with-value-from-button/81766/13 "2025-05-09T15:19:42Z")
Oh gosh, I need to clarify again. What a mean by ā€œglobal valueā€ is a value that is non-user specific, a value that can be ready by any user of the app. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Murphy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/darren_murphy/32/47326_2.png) [@Darren\_Murphy](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Darren_Murphy)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 4:13pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-can-i-sort-list-with-value-from-button/81766/14 "2025-05-09T16:13:07Z")
Yes, I understood that. And itā€™s also what I meant šŸ™‚ In the examples I gave, the values are stored in template columns, and so are available to all signed in users. Along similar lines, I often have a series of date math columns in the user profile row that return commonly used date values - 1 week ago, 1 month ago, etc. ---
**Author:** ![nathanaelb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/nathanaelb/32/43079_2.png) [@nathanaelb](https://community.glideapps.com/u/nathanaelb)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 6:59pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-can-i-sort-list-with-value-from-button/81766/15 "2025-05-09T18:59:07Z")
> [@Darren\_Murphy](#): > > In the examples I gave, the values are stored in template columns, and so are available to all signed in users. Gotcha. Using `template` columns for these is a good tip, Iā€™ll use it šŸ™ ---
**Author:** ![Eric\_Penn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/eric_penn/32/73888_2.png) [@Eric\_Penn](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Eric_Penn)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 8:03pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-can-i-sort-list-with-value-from-button/81766/16 "2025-05-09T20:03:12Z")
> [@Darren\_Murphy](#): > > For quite a while a few of us have been requesting a dedicated table type for this purpose, or at least some mechanism for defining and storing global constants that can be accessed from anywhere. Put them on a 1 row table and copy them with single value to User Profileā€¦ then it works for all users signed in or not. Very valuable trick.. reduce app bloat and make life a little easier This means that any piece of data could be used globally. So if you need some value before sign inā€¦ calculate on 1 row tableā€¦ instead of user table. Think about it šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Murphy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/darren_murphy/32/47326_2.png) [@Darren\_Murphy](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Darren_Murphy)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 11:19pm UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-can-i-sort-list-with-value-from-button/81766/17 "2025-05-09T23:19:51Z")
Yeah, Iā€™m familiar with that approach. I donā€™t really like it. Itā€™s always seemed like un-necessary duplication to me. I almost never build Apps where users arenā€™t signed in, so in my view itā€™s easier and simpler to put everything in the User Profile row. ---
**Author:** ![Nicolas\_Joseph](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/nicolas_joseph/32/76105_2.png) [@Nicolas\_Joseph](https://community.glideapps.com/u/Nicolas_Joseph)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2025, 12:16am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-can-i-sort-list-with-value-from-button/81766/18 "2025-05-10T00:16:30Z")
> [@nathanaelb](#): > > Any reason why you opted for one approach rather than the other? Easy one @nathanaelb: I donā€™t see any advantage to use _User-specific_ columns (_USC_ after that) rather than storing data in Users table when you have _Sign-in users_: - no access to data stored (as far as I know) which means **no ability to get stats or analyses** after the fact; - you must define if itā€™s a _USC_ or not when you create the column. In my experience, it can be **difficult to evolve the data model and/or functionalities later** , especialy if you want to give a smooth user experience; - till now, I **havenā€™t seen any drawbacks** (such as bad performances) with Users tableā€™s option. āš  Once this has been said, Iā€™m sure Iā€™m not enough experienced to make this statement a general rule and it relies on your context. Several Gliders who are references in my eyes use them, there must be a good reason for that - which I have not yet encountered šŸ‘ ---
**Author:** ![nathanaelb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/nathanaelb/32/43079_2.png) [@nathanaelb](https://community.glideapps.com/u/nathanaelb)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2025, 8:52am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-can-i-sort-list-with-value-from-button/81766/19 "2025-05-10T08:52:13Z")
I see a good reason to use user-specific columns for custom forms, calculators, and to set a user-specific value of the attribute of an item (such as a star rating of an item). Those are my main use cases. That being said: **Custom forms** I avoid these. I know they are more versatile and more advanced than Glideā€™s native forms, but Iā€™m comfortable using Glideā€™s native features. Given the choice, I will shy away from complexity. **A user-specific value of the attribute of an item** This is an interesting one. Until now I had never questioned this. I had always accepted that user-specific data cannot be used globally throughout the app for other users or for stats. However, if as you suggest a user-specific value were stored in the users table instead (always, no matter what), it would circumvent the limitation of the user-specific columns. Granted, that user-specific data would then be stored in a separate table. I think using a user-specific column for a calculator is a natural approach which isnā€™t particularly complex. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/community.glideapps.com/system/32/53398_2.png) [@system](https://community.glideapps.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2025, 8:52am UTC](https://community.glideapps.com/t/how-can-i-sort-list-with-value-from-button/81766/20 "2025-05-17T08:52:23Z")
This topic was automatically closed 7 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.