High Sierra file sorting issue

I've noticed that when apps in 10.13 generate file lists, they come out in an apparently random order. I first noticed this in Logic Pro X, where the custom icons window was all out of order (they're supposed to be sorted by filename). I then noticed the same issue in a couple of other apps.


I created an automator app to create file lists, and fed it a folder with identical, sequentially named files and got this:


~/Desktop/Test/J.txt

~/Desktop/Test/K.txt

~/Desktop/Test/I.txt

~/Desktop/Test/H.txt

~/Desktop/Test/L.txt

~/Desktop/Test/Z.txt

~/Desktop/Test/M.txt

~/Desktop/Test/O.txt

~/Desktop/Test/X.txt

~/Desktop/Test/Y.txt

~/Desktop/Test/N.txt

~/Desktop/Test/C.txt

~/Desktop/Test/T.txt

~/Desktop/Test/U.txt

~/Desktop/Test/B.txt

~/Desktop/Test/W.txt

~/Desktop/Test/V.txt

~/Desktop/Test/A.txt

~/Desktop/Test/R.txt

~/Desktop/Test/E.txt

~/Desktop/Test/D.txt

~/Desktop/Test/S.txt

~/Desktop/Test/Q.txt

~/Desktop/Test/F.txt

~/Desktop/Test/G.txt

~/Desktop/Test/P.txt


I copied the same folder over to a non-APFS volume and the list was in the correct order, so it seems to be an issue with APFS.


Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Mac mini (Late 2014), macOS High Sierra (10.13)

Posted on Nov 28, 2017 4:37 AM

Reply
4 replies

Dec 22, 2017 1:52 AM in response to ferromaximum

I asked about this issue on another forum and someone referred me to this article, which in turn referred to this bit of developer documentation. I don't really get what's going on, but as far as I can tell search results on APFS volumes are unordered, and it's up to developers to fix with their own software.


The Logic Pro X update that came out this week fixed this issue for me. Hopefully other developers will follow suit.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

High Sierra file sorting issue

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.