How to Use Sort Text Lines: Complete Guide (2026)

What is Sort Text Lines?

A text line sorter puts each line of a list into alphabetical order. ToolsMinify's free Sort Text Lines tool can sort A to Z or Z to A, optionally treat uppercase as distinct, and drop empty lines - useful for names, URLs, tags, and any one-item-per-line list. Everything runs instantly in your browser.

Sort lines of text A to Z or Z to A instantly. Free online text sorter with case-sensitive and empty-line options - runs in your browser, no signup.

Why use Sort Text Lines?

• Sort A to Z or Z to A in one click
• Optional case-sensitive ordering when Apple and apple must stay distinct
• Drop blank rows from pasted columns before you copy the result
• Keep one item per line so lists stay easy to scan
• No signup and no upload - safe for draft and confidential lists

How to use Sort Text Lines - step by step

1. Step 1: Paste or type your list with one item per line.
2. Step 2: Choose A to Z (ascending) or Z to A (descending).
3. Step 3: Optionally enable case-sensitive sorting or remove empty lines.
4. Step 4: The sorted list appears instantly. Click Copy to grab the result.

The Sort Text Lines lives under Text Tools. Open the tool page, enter your input in the main field, and results update instantly. Use the copy button to paste output into documents, code editors, or spreadsheets.

Common use cases

Name and contact lists

Paste a column of names and sort A to Z before you import it into a spreadsheet or email tool.

URL and slug cleanup

Sort a list of URLs or slugs so duplicates and near-matches sit next to each other.

Tags and keywords

Alphabetize tags, categories, or keyword lists before you publish or compare them.

Pasted spreadsheet columns

Copy a column, strip empty cells with Remove empty lines, then sort and paste back.

Examples

• A to Z names: "Zoe, Amy, Ben" on separate lines becomes Amy, Ben, Zoe.
• Z to A: The same list in reverse alphabetical order: Zoe, Ben, Amy.
• Ignore case: "banana, Apple, cherry" sorts as Apple, banana, cherry when case-sensitive is off.
• Drop blank lines: Turn on Remove empty lines to strip blank rows before sorting a pasted spreadsheet column.

Pro tips

• Turn off case-sensitive for dictionary-style lists so Apple and apple sit together.
• Alphabetical sort is not numeric: 10 comes before 2 unless you zero-pad (01, 02, 10).
• Pair with Remove Duplicate Lines if the list also has repeats.
• Blank lines sort to the top in A to Z unless you enable Remove empty lines.
• After sorting, use Text Case Converter if you also need consistent capitalization.

Frequently asked questions

What is a text line sorter?

A text line sorter rearranges each line of your input into alphabetical order. This tool can sort A to Z or Z to A, optionally treat uppercase as distinct, and drop empty lines. It runs in your browser with no signup.

What is the difference between A to Z and Z to A?

A to Z is ascending alphabetical order (apple before banana). Z to A is the reverse, so the last letter in the alphabet comes first.

Does case-sensitive sorting change the order?

When case-sensitive is off (the default), Apple and apple are treated as the same word for ordering. When it is on, uppercase and lowercase letters are compared as-is, so Banana can sort before apple because B comes before a in character order.

Are empty lines removed automatically?

No. Empty and whitespace-only lines stay in the output unless you enable Remove empty lines. With A to Z, blank lines typically sort to the top.

Does it sort numbers numerically?

No. Sorting is alphabetical, so 10 comes before 2 because 1 comes before 2 as characters. Prefix numbers with zeros (01, 02, 10) if you need digit lists to line up.

Is my text sent to a server?

No. All sorting happens in your browser with JavaScript, so nothing you paste is uploaded, logged, or stored.

Related tools you might need

Explore other text tools on ToolsMinify. Related utilities are linked on the Sort Text Lines page to help you complete your workflow without leaving the site.