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Optional sorting by alphabetical order for local variables in Screens/Web Blocks/Actions
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Service Studio

I'm not sure if there is a solution do that.

Some complex screens and web blocks tend to end up with so many local variables. Currently the input variables are displayed first and then the local variables are added as we go. There is an option to move the variables up and down. But over the period of the time, developers do not order the variables in a logical way. It becomes difficult to surf thru the variables when you had to.

Providing an option (or by making it a default one) to keep the local variables in alphabetical order will help in navigation. And it also helps in grouping the variables. 

For e.g., all boolean variables will be listed one by one

IsCorrect

IsDataAvailable

Is Error

Also, all variables specific to an widget or entity can be identified easily

employeeList

employeeNumber

employeeDropDown


It also helps in finding a variable easily.

29 Apr 2022
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I really wish this was implemented. As a screen/block/action grows in complexity, finding a specific variable becomes a pain. Client actions are already sorted alphabetically, so why aren't variables too?

04 Jul 2022
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Merged this idea with 'Alphabetically sorting for variables, actions, etc.' (created on 08 Nov 2022 17:11:33 by Philippe-Alexandre Pierre)
15 Jul 2024
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Hi everyone, 

It could be very useful to be able to sort in alphabetical order in each of the typologies that can be created in Server Studio: variables (input, ouput, local, and those in advanced SQL queries), agregates, client actions, server actions, etc. The sorting could be automatically or manually (right-click, sort by, A-Z / Z-A / etc.)

Currently, only aggregates and data action are automatically sorted in alphabetical order.

08 Nov 2022
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Hi @Philippe-Alexandre Pierre I think the need to it to be both manual or automatic depending on the persons choosing is definitely very important since it can be very helpful at time to group things such as variables non-alphabetically.

12 Nov 2022
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It is possible to organize parameters manually, within is group (input, output, local). 

I think the idea is great, to rapidly organize them alphabetically, and should be extended to all objects as it was mentioned by @Philippe-Alexandre Pierre.

I add to screens actions the oportunity to organize it in folders (as we have in client/server actions). And allow to add subfolders this will increase the organizations within our service studio.

21 Nov 2022
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Merged this idea with 'Display Input variable and local variables in alphabetically sorted order' (created on 12 Jul 2024 09:08:23 by Unnati Khanorkar)
15 Jul 2024
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While working on complex screens and work flows, there can be a possibility that a screen can have multiple input parameters and local variable or aggregates added over the time. These are listed in the added order or can be drag dropped.

We can add auto sorting based on the variable names and aggregate names to show them in alphabetically sorted order, which will help user to check and develop easily.

12 Jul 2024
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Please first search ideas to see if your idea was not posted before. Your idea is merged into idea of 2022.

15 Jul 2024
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alphabetically sort local variables - This is still a great action for development. - 2025

17 May 2025
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Merged this idea with 'Display Local Variables in Alphabetical Order in Screens, Blocks, and Actions' (created on 07 Jan 2026 03:07:48 by Vijay Dhasnamoorthy)
08 Jan
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Hi OutSystems team,

In development, local variables created within Screens, Blocks, and Actions are currently displayed in the order of creation time. As applications grow in complexity, developers often create multiple local variables for different functional needs.

Unlike Client Actions and Server Actions - which are listed in alphabetical order - local variables remain displayed by creation time. This makes time-consuming to locate specific variables, especially in large screens or complex logic flows.

If local variables are displayed based on their name (alphabetical order) instead of creation time, it would be much easier to quickly find.


Thanks.

07 Jan
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I think it is a personal preferences @Vijay Dhasnamoorthy. As for me I prefer to be able to reorder the client actions like the variables.

However, the current state where only client actions could be reordered, and other elements are ordered automatically in alphabetical order, is inconvenient in my opinion.

08 Jan
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Before posting an Idea you are questioned if you searched if your idea was already posted in the past. Please do that search. Double posted Ideas are merged, the points go to the original Idea poster. This idea will be merged.

08 Jan
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