---
title: "sortDataset"
description: "Returns a new dataset based on the rows in the given dataset."
---

# sortDataset

> Returns a new dataset based on the rows in the given dataset.

**This function is used by Ignition's Expression language.**

## Description
Returns a new dataset based on the rows in the given dataset. Sort order is natural if the Class of keyColumn implements java.lang.Comparable, otherwise sorting is done by the toString() value.
 
## Syntax
` sortDataset(dataset, colIndex[, ascending])`

- Parameters

    - DataSet **dataset** - The starting dataset.

    - int **colIndex** - The index of the column to sort on.

    - Bool **ascending** - Optional. A flag indicating whether or not to sort ascending.

- Results
    - DataSet - A sorted dataset

## Syntax
` sortDataset(dataset, colName[, ascending])`

- Parameters

    - DataSet dataset - The starting dataset.

    - int colName- The name of the column to sort on.

    - Bool ascending - Optional. A flag indicating whether or not to sort ascending.

- Results
    - DataSet - A sorted dataset

## Examples
```python title="Code Snippet"
sortDataset(dataset, 0, true) // returns a Dataset sorted ascending on column 0.
```
```python title="Code Snippet"
sortDataset(dataset, "Column 1", false) // returns a Dataset sorted descending on the column named "Column 1".
```