topic Re: Layer Alphabetical Order in AutoCAD Forum

Layer Alphabetical Order

Anonymous — Mon, 06 May 2019 13:32:17 GMT

Hi Everyone,

I am working in AutoCAD 2016. If I have no XRef's in my model, I look at the Layer Properties Manager and the Layer Control Pulldown in the Layers Toolbar and all of the items are in Alphabetical Order. When I Xref certain Models, the listing is fine in the Layers Properties Manager, but everything is out of order in the Layer Control Pulldown of the Layers' Toolbar. Please see attachments...

How do I correct this? Is there a command to tell the Layers Control Pulldown to list in Alphabetical order?

thank you,

Patrick

Re: Layer Alphabetical Order

user181 — Mon, 06 May 2019 14:01:44 GMT

Hi @Anonymous Make sure the MAXSORT variable is set to a number higher than the number of layers in the drawing. I see over 1800 in the image. Maxsort can be 0 to 32767.

Re: Layer Alphabetical Order

pendean — Mon, 06 May 2019 14:04:52 GMT

Read this https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/AutoCAD-layers-are-not-in-alphabetical-order.html

Re: Layer Alphabetical Order

Anonymous — Mon, 06 May 2019 14:08:49 GMT

Thank you so much, user181... That was the issue! Maxsort was set to 1000. I changed it to 21,00...

sincerely,

Patrick

Re: Layer Alphabetical Order

Anonymous — Mon, 06 May 2019 18:54:06 GMT

Thank you, pendean...

Re: Layer Alphabetical Order

PatricioANF294 — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 05:19:40 GMT

HAD THIS ISSUE FOR A YEAR PLUS NOW. I DECIDED TO FIX IT. YOU GOT IT EXACTLY. I TYPED THE COMMAND AND ENTERED THE NEW VALUE AND IT WORKED. THANK YOU

Re: Layer Alphabetical Order

vandenoosterkamp — Sun, 31 May 2026 06:46:33 GMT

is now NOT alfabetically anymore and changed to

due to some 'smart' extra sorting order. And in case I would have wanted that I would have made a 01 layer...

I'm afraid this unwanted interference in the way the layers are not alfabetically anymore is a great new feature that cannot be undone?

Re: Layer Alphabetical Order

chriscowgill7373 — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 21:17:50 GMT

1 2 11 23 is alphabetical if you are considering counting, I thought it was some Windows thing along the way, not an AutoCAD setting. Perhaps you can find the setting in Windows to turn it off? Not sure if it translates into the software or not.

Re: Layer Alphabetical Order

vandenoosterkamp — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 06:13:18 GMT

sortorder fixed this. Amazing new feature no one asked for but it's one of hundreds I reckon :s

Re: Layer Alphabetical Order

obulesub — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:59:53 GMT

Hi @vandenoosterkamp,

It's great to hear you have found a solution, feel free to mark your reply as the 'Accepted Solution' It may help others who run into the same problem.

Obulesu | Community Manager