Windows 10: Windows Explorer not showing "Sort by" columns

I can't recall exactly when the issue began, but for the past while many files have been missing their "Sort by" columns. I only see the three tabs: "ascending," descending," and "choose columns." Clicking the "choose columns" opens up the checkbox menu as usual, but none of the columns I check show up. This is a problem since I'm unable to sort my files full of pictures by date created/taken. This problem doesn't appear for all files, but does for most.

I'm only able to use the "Sort by" columns if I have the files organized with the "Group by" option, but this is a bit clunky.

I'm running Windows 10 Home version 1903. Let me know if there's any other information required.

:)

 

Sorting Explorer columns by multiple criteria


I also haven't seen the capability of multiple sort criteria in many versions of Windows Explorer or the later [in Win8/8.1/10] File Explorer. Each column visible can be sorted in ascending or descending order, clicking a different column changes the view strictly to that arrangement. Generally the columns are sorted alphabetically with Folders first. Compressed/zip files are usually between Folders and files except in Type where they will be at either end of the list.

 

Sorting column of mixed format data

You would need to do this:

• Create an extra column to the right of plot numbers.
• Copy the plot numbers from the left to the right column.
• Remove all letters from the left column.
• Remove all numbers from the right column.
• Place a space or an exclamation mark into all empty cells in the right column.
• Sort the list against the left plus the right column.
• Replace each exclamation mark with a space.

 

Sorting Explorer columns by multiple criteria


Hi,

Thanks for the replies.

I will have to be more precise then.
In my screenshot you can see that files are sorted by date. Fine.
But the directories are not sorted alphabetically. Not fine.

What I was able to do was left-click on "date" and the column date would be sorted up or down depending on how many times I clicked on the date heading. Great.

Once the date was sorted the way I wanted, I was then able to ADDITIONALLY press SHIFT+left-click on "Name", to get directories to the top and sorted alphabetically.

The result was a detailed view of the sub-directories on top, sorted alphabetically and ALSO the files sorted by date. *Sleepy

And this I managed to get as the default everywhere and consistent. Now the listings are all over the show and I can't work with this explorer any more because I need to spend time looking for files and, what is worse, to double check and scroll every time I want to open or save something from within a programme. Highly annoying.

That's why any help would be appreciated.
Thanks