PHP array_multisort sorts many arrays or a multi level array in one go. It can sort data in numeric order or text order. This helps you control how your arrays look after sort.

Syntax of PHP array_multisort

The PHP array_multisort function sorts one array or more arrays at the same time. It sets order for each array and returns a boolean value.

Here is an example:

array_multisort(array1, sort_order, sort_type, array2, ...);

You can sort a main array and also sort other arrays with it. This keeps related data in the right place after sort.

For example:

$numbers = [3, 1, 2];
$names = ["C", "A", "B"];
array_multisort($numbers, $names);
print_r($numbers);
print_r($names);

This code sorts $numbers in order and sorts $names in the same order. Both arrays stay linked after sort.

Here is the output:

Array
(
    [0] => 1
    [1] => 2
    [2] => 3
)
Array
(
    [0] => A
    [1] => B
    [2] => C
)

PHP array_multisort can sort numeric arrays by value or by flags like SORT_DESC. It changes the order of each array but keeps index links correct.

$values = [5, 2, 8, 1];
array_multisort($values, SORT_ASC);
print_r($values);

The code sets $values to [1,2,5,8] after sort. You can also use SORT_DESC for reverse order.

The output:

Array
(
    [0] => 1
    [1] => 2
    [2] => 5
    [3] => 8
)

Using PHP array_multisort with associative arrays

You can sort an associative array by its values but keep keys safe. You can also match it with another array to keep data linked.

$age = ["Ali"=>30,"Sara"=>22,"Omar"=>25];
$name = ["Ali","Sara","Omar"];
array_multisort($age, SORT_ASC, $name);
print_r($age);
print_r($name);

This code sorts $age by value from low to high. The $name array stays matched with each key after sort.

The output:

Array
(
    [Sara] => 22
    [Omar] => 25
    [Ali] => 30
)
Array
(
    [0] => Sara
    [1] => Omar
    [2] => Ali
)

Sorting multidimensional arrays with PHP array_multisort

You can sort a multidimensional array by a column inside it. This helps order records like a table.

$data = [
  ["id"=>3,"name"=>"Ali"],
  ["id"=>1,"name"=>"Sara"],
  ["id"=>2,"name"=>"Omar"]
];
$ids = array_column($data, "id");
array_multisort($ids, SORT_ASC, $data);
print_r($data);

This code extracts the id column and sorts the main $data array by it. Each row keeps its own fields after sort.

The output:

Array
(
    [0] => Array
        (
            [id] => 1
            [name] => Sara
        )

    [1] => Array
        (
            [id] => 2
            [name] => Omar
        )

    [2] => Array
        (
            [id] => 3
            [name] => Ali
        )

)

Examples

Sort two related arrays by numbers:

$scores = [45, 78, 12];
$names = ["Ali","Sara","Omar"];
array_multisort($scores, SORT_DESC, $names);
print_r($scores);
print_r($names);

This example sorts $scores from high to low. It also sorts $names in the same order to keep the link.

The output:

Array
(
    [0] => 78
    [1] => 45
    [2] => 12
)
Array
(
    [0] => Sara
    [1] => Ali
    [2] => Omar
)

Sort the associative array by age:

$people = ["Ali"=>30,"Sara"=>22,"Omar"=>25];
$names = array_keys($people);
$ages = array_values($people);
array_multisort($ages, SORT_ASC, $names);
print_r($names);
print_r($ages);

This example splits keys and values into arrays, sorts ages, and keeps names linked with each age.

The output:

Array
(
    [0] => Sara
    [1] => Omar
    [2] => Ali
)
Array
(
    [0] => 22
    [1] => 25
    [2] => 30
)

Sort a table by column:

$records = [
  ["id"=>2,"name"=>"Omar","score"=>80],
  ["id"=>1,"name"=>"Sara","score"=>90],
  ["id"=>3,"name"=>"Ali","score"=>70]
];
$scores = array_column($records,"score");
array_multisort($scores,SORT_DESC,$records);
print_r($records);

This example sorts $records by the score column from high to low. Each row stays matched with its values.

The output:

Array
(
    [0] => Array
        (
            [id] => 1
            [name] => Sara
            [score] => 90
        )

    [1] => Array
        (
            [id] => 2
            [name] => Omar
            [score] => 80
        )

    [2] => Array
        (
            [id] => 3
            [name] => Ali
            [score] => 70
        )

)

Sort many arrays with mixed order:

$first = [3,1,2];
$second = ["C","A","B"];
array_multisort($first,SORT_ASC,$second,SORT_DESC);
print_r($first);
print_r($second);

This example shows how you can set a different order for each array at once. It keeps data in place but changes the order.

The output:

Array
(
    [0] => 1
    [1] => 2
    [2] => 3
)
Array
(
    [0] => A
    [1] => B
    [2] => C
)

Wrapping Up

You learned what PHP array_multisort does and how to use it with many array types.

Here is a quick recap:

• You can sort many arrays at once, keep links between arrays, and order multidimensional arrays by one column or more. This gives you full control of data order in your code.

FAQs

<?php
$names = array("Sara", "John", "Alex");
$ages  = array(25, 30, 20);

array_multisort($ages, $names);

print_r($ages);
print_r($names);
?>

<?php
$marks = array(90, 60, 70);
$students = array("Ali", "Mona", "Zaid");

array_multisort($marks, SORT_DESC, $students);

print_r($marks);
print_r($students);
?>

<?php
$data = array(
  array("Ali", 22),
  array("Sara", 18),
  array("Omar", 25)
);

$names = array_column($data, 0);
$ages  = array_column($data, 1);

array_multisort($ages, SORT_ASC, $names, SORT_ASC, $data);

print_r($data);
?>

<?php
$values = array("20", "9", "100");
array_multisort($values, SORT_ASC, SORT_STRING);
print_r($values);
?>

Similar Reads

• PHP