topic Re: Column Chart sorting in Developer

Column Chart sorting

manojk_pbi — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 05:16:41 GMT

Hello,

How do we sort the column chart ? Do we have any option is settings ? In the below image i want the columns to be sorted by Budget, Forecast & Actuals.

Re: Column Chart sorting

jaineshp — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 05:37:06 GMT

Hey @manojk_pbi,

In the visual, click the three dots (...) → Sort by → Choose your desired field (Budget/Forecast/Actual).

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Best Regards,
Jainesh Poojara | Power BI Developer

Re: Column Chart sorting

manojk_pbi — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 06:29:18 GMT

Thanks for your reply. I tried but it will not provide in required order.

It will sort based on Characters, So either Actual or forecast will come first.

I need it to be sorted in Budget, forecast and Actual.

Re: Column Chart sorting

jaineshp — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 06:36:27 GMT

Hey @manojk_pbi,

Create a Sort Order Column

Add a new column to your data table with the following DAX:

Sort Order =
SWITCH(
[Category_Column],
"Budget", 1,
"Forecast", 2,
"Actual", 3,
999
)

Go to Data view (not Report view)
Click on your category column (the one with Budget/Forecast/Actual values)
In the ribbon: Column Tools → Sort by Column → Select "Sort Order"
Refresh your visual - it will now show Budget → Forecast → Actual in that exact order

You must set the sort column in Data view, not Report view
The sort column should contain numbers (1, 2, 3) not text
Once set, it applies to all visuals using that column

This is the only guaranteed method that works consistently across all Power BI versions and visual types for custom sort orders.

Fixed? ✓ Mark it • Share it • Help others!

Best Regards,
Jainesh Poojara | Power BI Developer

Re: Column Chart sorting

manojk_pbi — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 08:26:01 GMT

Hi @jaineshp , thanks for your quick support. It worked.

Re: Column Chart sorting

jaineshp — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 08:32:16 GMT

@manojk_pbi Always happy to contribute to our community's success!

Best Regards,
Jainesh Poojara | Power BI Developer