Sorting and Searching - Datatables for Laravel [ Datatables for Laravel ](/) Toggle main menu [Docs](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs) [Demos](/demos) [Blog](https://laravel-datatables.com/blog) [Pricing](/pricing) Search ⌘ K [ Log in ](/login) [Docs](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs) [Demos](/demos) [Blog](https://laravel-datatables.com/blog) [Pricing](/pricing) Search docs and demos Type at least 2 characters to search. Docs ### Getting Started - [ Installation ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/start-installation) - [ Manual Installation ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/start-manual-installation) - [ Dark Mode ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/start-dark-mode) ### Basics - [ Creating a Table ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/basic-creating-a-table) - [ Displaying Columns ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/basic-displaying-columns) - [ Data Sources ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/basic-data-sources) - [ Internationalisation ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/basic-internationalisation) - [ Styling ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/basic-styling) ### Features - [ Accessibility ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-accessibility) - [ Aggregate Columns ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-aggregate-columns) - [ Bulk Actions ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-bulk-actions) - [ Column Reordering ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-column-reordering) - [ Column Visibility ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-column-visibility) - [ Custom Controls ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-custom-controls) - [ Custom Filters ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-custom-filters) - [ Exporting ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-exporting) - [ Freeze Columns and Headers ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-freeze-columns-and-headers) - [ Inline Editing ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-inline-editing) - [ Pagination ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-pagination) - [ Responsive Mobile ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-responsive-mobile) - [ Row Actions ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-row-actions) - [ Row Grouping ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-row-grouping) - [ Row Selection ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-row-selection) - [ Sorting and Searching ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-sorting-and-searching) - [ State Persistence ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-state-persistence) - [ Value Preparation ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/feature-value-preparation) ### Customization - [ Cell Renderer ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-cell-renderer) - [ Columns ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-columns) - [ Components ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-components) - [ Data Sources ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-data-sources) - [ Exporting ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-exporting) - [ Filters ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-filters) - [ Loading Indicator ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-loading-indicator) - [ Multi Row Actions ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-multi-row-actions) - [ Pagination ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-pagination) - [ Row Actions ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-row-actions) - [ Sorting Icons ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-sorting-icons) - [ State Persistence ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-state-persistence) - [ Value Formatter ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-value-formatter) ### Cell Renderer - [ Action Buttons ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-action-buttons) - [ Avatar ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-avatar) - [ Checkmark ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-checkmark) - [ Color Sample ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-color-sample) - [ Email Link ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-email-to-link) - [ External Link ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-external-link) - [ Friendly Timestamp ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-friendly-timestamp) - [ Image ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-image) - [ Long Text ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-long-text) - [ Phone Link ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-phone-link) - [ Progress Bar ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-progress-bar) - [ Status Badge ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-status-badge) - [ URL Link ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-url-link) - [ Wire Link ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/renderer-wire-link) ### Value Formatter - [ Compact Number ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/formatter-compact-number) - [ Currency ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/formatter-currency) - [ Duration ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/formatter-duration) - [ Friendly Filesize ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/formatter-friendly-filesize) - [ Friendly Timestamp ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/formatter-friendly-timestamp) - [ Locale Timestamp ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/formatter-locale-timestamp) - [ Number ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/formatter-number) - [ Percent ](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/formatter-percent) Sorting and Searching ===================== Search and sorting behavior is driven by column metadata and table-level sort settings. Enable Search and Sort per Column --------------------------------- Mark columns as searchable() and sortable() in columns(). columns() PHP `Column::make('name', __('Name'))->searchable()->sortable();Column::make('sku', __('SKU'))->searchable()->sortable();Column::make('price', __('Price'))->sortable();` ``` Column::make('name', __('Name'))->searchable()->sortable(); Column::make('sku', __('SKU'))->searchable()->sortable(); Column::make('price', __('Price'))->sortable(); ``` Single vs Multi-Column Sorting ------------------------------ Use multiColumnSort when users need compound ordering (for example category asc + created\_at desc). Sorting mode PHP `public bool $multiColumnSort = false; // true enables multi-sort` ``` public bool $multiColumnSort = false; // true enables multi-sort ``` Search and Sort State --------------------- The datatable maintains these state values during interactions: Core state properties PHP `public string $search = '';public ?string $sortColumn = null;public string $sortDirection = 'asc';public array $multiSorts = [];` ``` public string $search = ''; public ?string $sortColumn = null; public string $sortDirection = 'asc'; public array $multiSorts = []; ``` Reference --------- Main sorting/search members in the package Datatable class: Member Purpose Column::searchable() Includes a column in global search matching. Column::sortable() Allows ordering by that column key. public bool $multiColumnSort Switches between single-sort and multi-sort mode. public array $multiSorts Stores active sort directions by column key in multi-sort mode. sortBy(string $column) Toggles and applies sort direction for a column. For large datasets, index frequently searched and sorted columns in your datasource/backend to keep interactions responsive. ### Related Documentation [Sorting Icons Customization Customize sorting icons.](https://laravel-datatables.com/docs/customization-sorting-icons) © 2026 Copyright (C) [ Morrow IT Consulting & Services ](https://morrow-it.services) [Terms of Service](https://laravel-datatables.com/legal/terms) [Privacy](https://laravel-datatables.com/legal/privacy) [Legal Disclosure](https://laravel-datatables.com/legal/disclosure)