Notes folders are no longer sorting alphanumerically

Question

Notes folders are no longer sorting alphanumerically

Howarduns posted this question in 2021 and I am wondering if anyone found an answer/solution?

"To be more precise, there are now 3 alphanumeric sorted sections.

I contacted Apple technical support. Engineering reports that this is normal functionality; that Notes folders must be manually sorted.

I have used notes for approximately 15 years (since the introduction of macOS X). Prior to 2021, my Notes folders sorted automatically consistently.

I have just over 2500 notes in over 100 folders. This has become a bit of an issue. When I look for notes, I must check folders in 3 sections.

This is a back end issue. The same behaviour is observed on iCloud, my MacBook, iPad and iPhone.

Howard"

I too have this same issue and exactly the same experience, folders within the notes app used to sort alphanumerically but stop doing so a couple of years ago. I've been searching everywhere for an answer/solution with no luck. I was just hoping someone has found an answer?

Please be advised the notes within a folder do sort alphabetically and most peoples suggestions revolve around that. The problem is not the notes within the folders but the folders themselves.

iPhone 14 Pro

Posted on Oct 19, 2022 05:59 AM

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Answer 1

Owl-53

Level 10

100,237 points

Oct 19, 2022 02:02 PM in response to georgefrommarkham

georgefrommarkham wrote:

Thanks so much! How do we sort manually, just grab and slide? I did try to move them around myself but seems to be super slow and the system seems to hang. Tried it on my Mac.

Note that the iCloud keeps the notes folders in perfect alphabetical order! Wondering if there’s anything we can do with that?

Q - " How do we sort manually, just grab and slide? "

A - Yes

Q - " try to move them around myself but seems to be super slow and the system seems to hang "

A - With that may Folders and Notes in each Folder it maybe expected

Q - " Note that the iCloud keeps the notes folders in perfect alphabetical order! Wondering if there’s anything we can do with that? "

A - If I read between the lines - this seems to indicate the Notes Application is not really syncing properly from iCloud.

Would suggest Only unTicking Notes in System Preferences >> Internal Accounts. Shutdown computer and then Restart in Safe Mode . The re-Enable Notes. We are attempting to Force a re-sync.

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Answer 2

Oct 20, 2022 02:01 PM in response to Owl-53

Thanks so much Phillips, you are so knowledgeable and extremely kind and helpful to take your time to help other like me!! I just want you to know I really appreciate it!! Some clarification to your instruction if you don't mind:

I assume your instruction refer to the Mac and specifically the iCloud settings? I just uncheck notes only and leave all other programs as is, still syncing?
When can I leave 'Safe Mode' and return to 'Regular Mode? After it completely syncs all notes, or right away after I check notes syncing in iCloud back on again?
What happens to my other devices, iPad, iPhone, etc? Will they not compete to sync the way they currently have my folders (wrong way - out of alpha order) with my Mac, that hopefully, if all goes well, syncs in the correct alpha order? Which device will take priority and make the other devices follow it? How do we force this? Will this happen automatically from the Mac? Do my other devices have to be off?
Have you tried this, and if so did it work?

Thanks so much once again for your prompt replies and have a great day!

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Answer 3

Owl-53

Level 10

100,237 points

Oct 19, 2022 07:14 AM in response to georgefrommarkham

Q - " I contacted Apple technical support. Engineering reports that this is normal functionality; that Notes folders must be manually sorted. "

A - AFAIK the Apple Engineers have the last word on this subject

A - So adding something more from mere mortals like ourselves including self is rather fruitless.

A - Have only One Folder in Notes running Monterey 12.6 with only 50 Notes and all seems fine

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Answer 4

Oct 19, 2022 11:15 AM in response to Owl-53

Thanks so much! How do we sort manually, just grab and slide? I did try to move them around myself but seems to be super slow and the system seems to hang. Tried it on my Mac.

Note that the iCloud keeps the notes folders in perfect alphabetical order! Wondering if there’s anything we can do with that?

Reply

Answer 5

Owl-53

Level 10

100,237 points

Oct 20, 2022 02:35 PM in response to georgefrommarkham

georgefrommarkham wrote:

1. Thanks so much Phillips, you are so knowledgeable and extremely kind and helpful to take your time to help other like me!! I just want you to know I really appreciate it!! Some clarification to your instruction if you don't mind:

I assume your instruction refer to the Mac and specifically the iCloud settings? I just uncheck notes only and leave all other programs as is, still syncing?

A - Yes to Mac and Yes to iCloud Setting and Yes to Only Notes and Yes leave all other setting untouched

. When can I leave 'Safe Mode' and return to 'Regular Mode? After it completely syncs all notes, or right away after I check notes syncing in iCloud back on again?

A - After restarting make into Normal Mode and pause a moment. Then Re-Enable Notes in that some spot in Internal Account

. What happens to my other devices, iPad, iPhone, etc?

A - Just leaving the oTher Device as is - nothing to touch or adjust

Will they not compete to sync the way they currently have my folders (wrong way - out of alpha order) with my Mac, that hopefully, if all goes well, syncs in the correct alpha order?

A - Based upon the earlier statement where the Alpha Order in iCloud is correct - in theory this should reflect back to All Devices

Which device will take priority and make the other devices follow it?

A - That I can not predict. I can say with certainty that an Old Mac mini from 2011 stuck on High Sierra macOa 10.13.6 is the oldest machine in my stable of machines and oldest version of macOS. Have added 2 new machines all M1 computer that started on Big Sur moved to Monterey and the Lead from the High Sierra seems to match up right on each of the new machines

How do we force this? Will this happen automatically from the Mac? Do my other devices have to be off?

. Have you tried this, and if so did it work?

A - Personally, have not had any of the quirks and bumps your machines have experienced.

Thanks so much once again for your prompt replies and have a great day!

Keep us posted on the progress and very welcome for what we can do to help 🇨🇦

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Answer 6

Oct 20, 2022 03:28 PM in response to Owl-53

Once again thanks so much. I did reboot my Mac in safe mode and then I turned on notes syncing. I then let it run for a few hours in safe mode. The folders unfortunately synced back into the same incorrect non-alpha order. I then rebooted my Mac in normal mode and the folders are still in the same incorrect non-alpha order. Thanks anyways! Looks like I'm going to have to use the slow manual process, will probably take me quite a few days.

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