Sorting Data

To sort a data frame in R, use the order( ) function. By default, sorting is ASCENDING. Prepend the sorting variable by a minus sign to indicate DESCENDING order. Here are some examples.

Run this code

# sorting examples using the mtcars dataset

            attach(mtcars)

            

            # sort by mpg

            newdata <- mtcars[order(mpg),]
            

            

            # sort by mpg and cyl

            newdata <- mtcars[order(mpg, cyl),]

            

            #sort by mpg (ascending) and cyl (descending)

            newdata <- mtcars[order(mpg, -cyl),]
            

            

            detach(mtcars)

To practice, try this sorting exercise with the order() function.

R in Action

Sorting Data