# Ordering files when using tag source
**URL:** https://community.mp3tag.de/t/ordering-files-when-using-tag-source/70041
**Category:** Support
**Created:** [October 26, 2025, 9:35pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/ordering-files-when-using-tag-source/70041 "2025-10-26T21:35:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@GaryF](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/GaryF)
#### Post date: [October 26, 2025, 9:35pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/ordering-files-when-using-tag-source/70041/1 "2025-10-26T21:35:55Z")
I used MusicBrainz to check files in an album against their records. There’s 12 files and although their track numbers are the same as the ones in the results pane, they are in a different order in my pane. Is there a way to make them ‘auto sort’ instead of moving files up and down in the pane to match?
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### Author:  [@rboss](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/rboss)
#### Post date: [October 27, 2025, 3:35am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/ordering-files-when-using-tag-source/70041/2 "2025-10-27T03:35:22Z")
The sort order for user files in the results' pane is the same as presented in Mp3Tag's main window.
If -as you detailed- you are cross-checking already tagged files, sorting by `TRACKNUMBER` should produce a list according to the order of MusicBrainz's database entry.
It's also a good troubleshooting tip in these instances to check the MB album page in a browser and visually confirm if the track titles and track numbers (and/or other data) are matching.
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### Author:  [@GaryF](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/GaryF)
#### Post date: [October 27, 2025, 4:59am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/ordering-files-when-using-tag-source/70041/3 "2025-10-27T04:59:43Z")
I do random checks at the moment to ensure tracks are what they should be. But how do you sort? I’ve never seen a control for sorting by any variable?
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### Author:  [@LyricsLover](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/LyricsLover)
#### Post date: [October 27, 2025, 7:12am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/ordering-files-when-using-tag-source/70041/4 "2025-10-27T07:12:40Z")
> [@GaryF](#):
>
> But how do you sort?
You can sort by any column in the File List of Mp3tag.
Just click on the column header TRACK for example, to sort by TRACK numbers.
Or click on the column header ALBUM to sort by ALBUM names.
There is also the menu **View** -\> **Sort by** to do the same.
> [@GaryF](#):
>
> I’ve never seen a control for sorting by any variable?
If you want to sort by multiple fields, you can customize one of your columns and fill these fields into the definition "Sort by".
For example, if you think that TRACK should first sort by ALBUM and then by the tracknumber, you could use something like
`%album%$num(%track%,3)`
Please note:
Clicking on another column header than TRACK - for the above example - (to sort the content of that other column in ascending or descending sort order) will always override your **Sort by** definitions.
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### Author:  [@LyricsLover](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/LyricsLover)
#### Post date: [October 27, 2025, 7:31am UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/ordering-files-when-using-tag-source/70041/5 "2025-10-27T07:31:42Z")
> [@rboss](#):
>
> sorting by `TRACKNUMBER` should produce a list according to the order of MusicBrainz's database entry.
This is correct for one media albums.
For albums containing more than one media I would suggest to sort by DISCNUMBER and TRACK to get the tracks listed as
disc 1 and track #1
disc 1 and track #2
disc 1 and track #3
...
disc 2 and track #1
disc 2 and track #2
disc 3 and track #3
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### Author:  [@GaryF](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/GaryF)
#### Post date: [October 27, 2025, 12:05pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/ordering-files-when-using-tag-source/70041/6 "2025-10-27T12:05:18Z")
I found it eventually. Because I’ve usually got many windows open when tagging, I run MP3tag in a small window, and had never realised that there was a whole list of columns. I feel like I’ve been blind the whole time!
I just whizzed through an album in seconds. Thanks for the heads up!
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### Author:  [@GaryF](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/GaryF)
#### Post date: [October 27, 2025, 12:09pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/ordering-files-when-using-tag-source/70041/7 "2025-10-27T12:09:35Z")
I didn’t know about this feature either. I thought I was being really efficient using MP3tag but I’ve been running on empty really. Thanks for your help.
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### Author:  [@rboss](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/rboss)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2025, 10:51pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/ordering-files-when-using-tag-source/70041/8 "2025-11-01T22:51:41Z")
> [@LyricsLover](#):
>
> For albums containing more than one media I would suggest to sort by DISCNUMBER and TRACK to get the tracks listed
Yes, you are absolutely correct. I wasn't considering multiple-media releases in my previous reply.
However the sorting order should be 1st- TRACK and 2nd- DISCNUMBER; so that you get your tracks listed as
1.01
1.02
1.03
...
2.01
2.02
2.03
...
...
which is the order usually followed by most websources (including MusicBrainz).
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### Author:  [@system](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/system)
#### Post date: [December 1, 2025, 10:51pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/ordering-files-when-using-tag-source/70041/9 "2025-12-01T22:51:49Z")
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