Multi-field Sorting of PHP Arrays

This article was originally published on 2022-07-04 and migrated here from an old blog. Compiled by: Hermes

During development, it is often necessary to sort arrays by multiple fields.

if (!function_exists('sortByTwoField')) {
    /**
     * Sort array by two fields
     * @param array $data Input array
     * @param string $field1 Primary field (format: field_name sort_order), e.g., age desc
     * @param string $field2 Secondary field (format: field_name sort_order), e.g., name asc
     * @return array|string Sorted array
     */
    function sortByTwoField($data, $field1 = '', $field2 = '')
    {
        if (!is_array($data)) return 'Please pass an array';
        if (count($data) <= 1) return $data;

        $field1_arr = explode(' ', $field1);
        $field2_arr = explode(' ', $field2);

        $field1_key = $field1_arr[0];
        $field1_order = isset($field1_arr[1]) ? strtoupper($field1_arr[1]) : 'DESC';
        $field2_key = $field2_arr[0];
        $field2_order = isset($field2_arr[1]) ? strtoupper($field2_arr[1]) : 'DESC';

        $sort1 = array_column($data, $field1_key);
        $sort2 = array_column($data, $field2_key);

        if ($field1_order === 'ASC') {
            array_multisort($sort1, SORT_ASC, $sort2, SORT_DESC, $data);
        } else {
            array_multisort($sort1, SORT_DESC, $sort2, SORT_ASC, $data);
        }

        return $data;
    }
}

CodeBlock Loading...

Usage Instructions

First parameter: The array to be sorted
Second parameter: Primary sorting field, format is "fieldname sortorder"
Third parameter: Secondary sorting field, same format as above

Notes

If only one sorting field is passed, leave the second field empty
The default sort order is DESC (descending)

Search

Multi-field Sorting of PHP Arrays

Multi-field Sorting of PHP Arrays

Multi-field Sorting of PHP Arrays

Usage Instructions

Notes