Sort admin navbar items alphabetically

[wtheaker]

It would be helpful to have menu items sorted alphabetically. For example, under Localization, "Languages, Currency, Locations" precedes "Address Settings." It would be easier to find items in large lists if they were sorted in some way.

This is something I want to work on, but I can't seem to find the right template

[JonGold]

I believe the menus are built using SQL from civicrm_navigation.

I can see the argument for alphabetizing the "Administer" submenus - but many of the other menus are laid out fairly logically.  Also, I believe Dave Greenberg on the core team reorganized these menus in the last year or two - and while alphabetization may not have been on his radar, it's probably worth checking in with him to see if he considered and opted against it.

[Coleman Watts]

It's not in a template, it's stored in the db. The menus are really tricky (not that this is impossible) because they are:
a) User configurable - the admin can rearrange menus at will
b) Localizable - menu items can appear in different languages which of course would affect abc order
c) Modular - different components and extensions can add menu items
d) Upgradable - new versions of core and extensions may add and remove menu items over time.

[wtheaker]

Hm if I add ORDER BY to the query would I be able to sort an unmodified admin menu?

[Coleman Watts]

You could. It already has ORDER BY `weight` so you could change that if you wanted. Then of course any custom ordering will be ignored.