OK so here is a summary of the current situation:
- User Parameters can by sorted by any of the column headers ("Parameter", "Name", "Unit", "Expression", etc): This works exactly as expected. Clicking the "Name" column header once will sort the list in ascending alphabetical order by "Name", clicking a second time reverses the sort order.
- Fusion 360 forgets the user's prior sort preference: The parameter list is always sorted by timeline order when the Parameters window opens. In other words, if the last time the user opened the Parameters window the user sorted it by "Name", Fusion 360 forgets this and sorts the list by "Parameter" again. For me this is the biggest oversight/weakness with the current implementation. Usually, in more complex designs I am careful to name my User Parameters so that, when I sort alphabetically by name, related parameters appear next to each other. For example, "ShelfTop_Width", "ShelfTop_Depth" instead of "TopShelf_Width", "ShelfTop_Depth". This may not be the most language-like naming style but it makes the parameter list a lot easier to navigate. I think it would be very useful if Fusion 360 could just remember globally (i.e including for new designs) the user's sort preference. So far I have never needed to sort the parameter list by anything other than "Name", and it gets tiring having to do it every time I visit the Parameters window.
- To restore timeline order, click the Fx button (top-left corner). This works as expected, although I personally have not yet found a situation where it was practical or useful, but I don't want to dismiss this feature because I'm no power user and maybe there are situations where it is helpful and I just don't know. That said, based on my personal experience, I don't think this should be the default sort because it is the only sort I have never used.
- Parameters cannot be arranged manually. I have never needed this myself and I'd argue very few users would but, again, I won't rush to dismiss it since different users have different need. Personally, if I had to choose between manual arrange and remembering the last sort preference, I'd absolutely and definitely choose the latter.
Note about point 3: There is a small bug. When Timeline Order is active, the column headers still show the sort chevron. As you can see in the attached screenshot, the Name header has the ascending sort chevron but the list isn't sorted by Name, because Timeline Order is active. The chevron should not be displayed in this case:
