Text Line Sorter

Sorting Options

Sort Order

Remove DuplicatesKeep only unique lines

Trim WhitespaceRemove leading/trailing spaces

Remove Empty LinesDelete blank lines

Case SensitiveDistinguish uppercase/lowercase

Input Text

Lines: 1 | Characters: 0

Sorted Output

Lines: 0 | Characters: 0(1 lines removed)

How to Sort Text Lines Online

Paste Your Text

Copy your unsorted list, log entries, or any multi-line text and paste it into the input area on the left. Each line is treated as a separate item to be sorted.
Choose a Sort Method

Select your preferred sort order from the dropdown: alphabetical (A-Z or Z-A), by line length (shortest or longest first), numeric, random shuffle, or reverse the current order.
Apply Filters

Toggle additional options such as Remove Duplicates to eliminate repeated lines, Trim Whitespace to strip leading and trailing spaces, or Remove Empty Lines to delete blank entries.
Copy the Result

Review the sorted output on the right panel. Click Copy to place it on your clipboard, or use the Use as Input button to chain multiple transformations one after another.

Common Use Cases

Cleaning Up Email Lists

Paste a raw list of email addresses, remove duplicates to eliminate repeated entries, trim whitespace caused by copy-paste errors, and sort alphabetically for a clean mailing list ready for import.

Organizing Code Imports

Sort import statements or dependency lists alphabetically to follow style guide conventions. Many linters and code formatters require imports to be in a consistent order, and this tool makes it instant.

Processing Log Files

Extract unique log entries from server or application logs by pasting the lines and enabling Remove Duplicates. Sort numerically when lines begin with timestamps or error codes to spot patterns quickly.

Preparing Data for Spreadsheets

Clean up rough text data before pasting into Excel or Google Sheets. Remove blank lines, trim inconsistent spacing, and sort the entries so the resulting column is already organized on import.

Why use Text Line Sorter?

Sort a list alphabetically, by length, numerically, in reverse or at random, with optional trimming and duplicate removal while you sort. If removing duplicates is the main job, the Duplicate Line Remover keeps the first or last copy and can show only the duplicates. On this page, all processing happens in your browser.

The Text Line Sorter is a browser-based tool that organizes multi-line text in seconds. Whether you need to alphabetize a grocery list, deduplicate a thousand-line CSV export, or numerically sort log entries, every operation on this page runs inside your browser, and your text stays on your device. Choose from eight sort modes, toggle duplicate removal, trim whitespace, and strip empty lines, all in a single workflow.

Beyond basic alphabetical sorting, the tool handles numeric ordering correctly, recognizing that "Item 10" should appear after "Item 2" rather than before it. Random shuffle mode is useful for raffles and randomized test orders, while reverse mode flips any existing arrangement. You can chain multiple transformations by clicking Use as Input, feeding the sorted output back for another pass. Pair it with the Case Converter to normalize letter casing before deduplication, or use the Diff Checker to compare your original and sorted versions side by side.

For heavier text analysis, the Word Counter and Character Counter help you measure the content you are sorting, while the Text Find & Replace tool lets you batch-edit lines before or after sorting. If you need to remove repeated lines without reordering, check out the dedicated Duplicate Line Remover. Their pages require no signup and process your text client-side.

How it compares

Most online text sorters offer only alphabetical ordering and lack options for numeric sorting, length-based sorting, or random shuffling. Paid desktop utilities like TextSoap or UltraEdit provide powerful text processing but carry subscription costs. The FindUtils Text Line Sorter delivers the most commonly needed sorting and deduplication features, with no account required and no file-size restrictions on input. Because everything on this page runs client-side, there is no upload delay and your data is not stored on a remote server. The API is a separate path: a call sends the text you include to FindUtils, which processes it without storing it.

Compared to command-line tools like sort and uniq, this tool provides a visual interface with real-time statistics showing how many lines were removed and how many characters were saved. It is ideal for non-technical users who need quick results without opening a terminal, while still being fast enough for developers who want a convenient GUI alternative.

Pro Tips

Use the 'Use as Input' button to chain operations: first remove duplicates, then sort alphabetically in a second pass.
Enable 'Case Sensitive' when sorting code tokens or identifiers where uppercase and lowercase have distinct meaning.
Choose 'Numeric' sort for lists that mix text and numbers, like 'Item 2' and 'Item 10', so they order correctly instead of lexicographically.
Combine 'Trim Whitespace' with 'Remove Duplicates' to catch lines that only differ by leading or trailing spaces.
Use 'Random Shuffle' to randomize a list of names for raffles, seating charts, or randomized testing order.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does duplicate removal work?

When 'Remove Duplicates' is enabled, only the first occurrence of each line is kept. With 'Case Sensitive' off, 'Apple' and 'apple' are considered duplicates and only the first one is kept.

What does numeric sorting do?

Numeric sorting extracts the first number found in each line and sorts by that value. Lines like 'Item 10' will sort after 'Item 2' correctly, unlike alphabetical sorting where '10' comes before '2'.

Can I sort by multiple criteria?

Currently you can sort by one criterion at a time. However, you can use the 'Use as Input' button to apply multiple transformations sequentially - first remove duplicates, then sort alphabetically.

Is my data secure?

Yes, on this page. All text processing happens in your browser, and your data is not sent to any server, so you can process sensitive information here. The API is a separate path: a call sends the text you include to FindUtils over HTTPS, where it is processed and the result returned. FindUtils does not store that input.

What is the maximum amount of text I can sort?

There is no hard limit. The tool runs in your browser, so performance depends on your device. Most modern devices handle tens of thousands of lines without any noticeable delay.

How does sorting by length work?

Length sorting counts the total number of characters in each line and orders them from shortest to longest or longest to shortest. This is useful for finding outlier entries in lists or organizing CSS properties by declaration length.

Can I use this tool to alphabetize a list?

Yes. Select the 'A to Z' sort order to alphabetize any list. The tool handles accented characters and mixed-case text. Disable 'Case Sensitive' if you want uppercase and lowercase letters treated equally during sorting.

Does random shuffle produce truly random results?

The shuffle uses a Fisher-Yates algorithm powered by your browser's built-in random number generator. It is suitable for everyday randomization tasks like raffles, classroom ordering, or playlist shuffling, though not for cryptographic purposes.

Can I undo a sort operation?

There is no dedicated undo button, but the original text remains in the input panel until you clear it. You can always re-paste your original text or adjust the sort options and the output updates in real time.

Does the tool work offline?

Yes. Once this page has loaded, all processing happens locally in your browser, so you can disconnect from the internet and continue sorting text. The REST API and MCP tool need a connection, since a call sends your text to FindUtils.

Run it from code

$ curl -X POST \
  api.findutils.com/api/tools/line-sort/execute \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -d '{"text":"banana\napple\ncherry"}'

$ claude mcp add findutils \
  --transport http https://mcp.findutils.com/ \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
# then call findutils:line_sort

Running a tool needs an API key. Keys are not for sale yet: ask for early access. About API keys

The REST API and the MCP tool are a separate path from this page: a call sends the input you include to FindUtils over HTTPS, where it is processed and the result returned. FindUtils does not store that input, and logs the request without its content.

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