---
title: "How to speed up sorting on a large table?"
description: "What to do when a banner says sorting is not applied: keep the safe order or start speed-up preparation (administrators)."
---

# How to speed up sorting on a large table?

When a table has a very large number of records, the chosen sort may open slowly or not apply immediately. The system shows records in a **safe order** and offers the administrator a way to **check whether sorting can be sped up**.

## When you need this

- A banner appears above the table: sorting by the selected field is **not applied yet**.
- A column header shows a hint that sorting needs preparation — click to open the check.
- An administrator wants the team to sort a large register quickly by date, status, or another field.

## What to know

- **Safe order** — the table stays available; records are shown by a field the system can open quickly (usually the record identifier).
- **Keep current sorting** — continue working in the safe order without preparation.
- **Check index** — the administrator sees table volume and risk estimates before starting preparation.
- **Speed up sorting** — a confirmation dialog; preparation may take from a few seconds to several minutes on very large tables.
- If you do not have administrator rights — contact your platform administrator.

## Before you start

- [x] The records table is open under **Custom Data**.
- [x] The new Custom Data workspace is enabled (if the instance still uses the legacy UI, this feature may be unavailable).
- [x] Starting preparation requires administrator rights to save table structure.

## Step-by-step

### If you are not an administrator

1. Read the banner above the table — it shows **which sort you chose** and **which sort is actually applied**.
2. Click **Keep current sorting** if the current order works for you.
3. If you need the chosen sort specifically — contact your platform administrator.

### If you are an administrator

1. When the banner appears, click **Check index** (or click the hint in the column header with “not applied” sorting).
2. Review the **Speed up sorting** dialog:
   - approximate number of records in the table;
   - fields for which speed-up will be prepared;
   - a warning if the table is large.
3. Choose one option:
   - **Keep current sorting** — no changes;
   - **Start preparation** — after confirming the checkbox “I understand that the table or service may become temporarily unavailable during preparation”.
4. While preparation runs, the banner shows **Preparing an index for the requested sort. The table remains available** — continue working with records.
5. After preparation completes, apply the needed **Sorting** again — the chosen order should apply.

## Banner states

| State | Meaning | Your actions |
|-------|---------|--------------|
| Sort not applied | The chosen field is not ready for a fast open yet | Keep order or check index |
| Preparing index | Preparation is running | Wait for completion; table is available |
| Preparation not completed | Preparation failed | Table stays in safe order; contact support |
| Cannot speed up now | The chosen sort does not support automatic speed-up | Contact support or change sorting |

## What happens next

- If you **did not start** preparation — the table works in safe order; filters and editing remain available.
- If preparation **started and succeeded** — the chosen sort should open faster.
- If preparation **failed** — the table stays in safe order; no data is lost.

## How to verify success

- The banner disappears or shows that sorting is applied.
- Row order matches the chosen field and direction.
- Moving between pages does not cause long waits.

## Related materials

- [How large tables work](../explanation/how-large-custom-data-tables-work.md)
- [Why Custom Data is stronger than other approaches](../explanation/custom-data-vs-other-approaches.md)
- [How to sort records](./sort-records.md)
- [How to view table records](./view-model-records.md)