# Length sorts as Text, not Numeric

**URL:** https://community.mp3tag.de/t/length-sorts-as-text-not-numeric/42867
**Category:** Support
**Created:** [September 7, 2018, 1:22am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/length-sorts-as-text-not-numeric/42867 "2018-09-07T01:22:44Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Showing post:** 3

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### Author: ![ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/user_avatar/community.mp3tag.de/ohrenkino/32/4843_2.png) [@ohrenkino](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/ohrenkino)
#### Post date: [September 7, 2018, 6:10am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/length-sorts-as-text-not-numeric/42867/3 "2018-09-07T06:10:35Z")

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%\_length% represents the formatted output - which is an alphanumeric string more or less.

To get a numeric treatment set these properties in the column definition:  
sort by: %\_length\_seconds%  
numeric: ticked.

Also see this fixed bug:

> [@\[F\] Sorting on %\_Length% field doesn't sort correctly](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/f-sorting-on-length-field-doesnt-sort-correctly/6616/5):
>
> No need to parse seconds slight_smile Just leave %\_length% as before and enter %\_length\_seconds% at Sort by. Also make sure that you tick the Numeric checkbox as dano suggested.

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