Many of the detailed tables in the Management Platform—such as "Top Linking Pages," "Top Linked Pages," or "Orphaned Pages"—allow you to quickly reorder data and focus on a single row. These powerful data manipulation features help you efficiently analyze large datasets and identify optimization opportunities. Below, you'll learn how to:

• Sort any column in ascending or descending order with intelligent data type handling
• Use the View button to inspect a single row's details
• Understand the visual indicators for sorted columns
• Leverage state preservation to maintain your analysis context
• Apply multi-column sorting strategies for complex data analysis

1. Intelligent Column Sorting

When you're viewing a table—like Top Linking Pages—the system provides intelligent sorting that automatically handles different data types appropriately. Follow these steps to reorder rows:

1. Hover Over the Header.
   Move your mouse over a column header (for example, "Page URL" or "Link Count"). The header text becomes underlined and the cursor changes to a pointer, indicating it's clickable.
2. Click Once for Ascending Order.
   Click the header text one time. The table will immediately refresh, reordering rows based on the data type:
   • Text columns: Sort alphabetically from A→Z
   • Numeric columns: Sort numerically from lowest to highest (0→9)
   • Date columns: Sort chronologically from oldest to newest
   A small green arrow icon ▲ appears to the right of the header name to indicate ascending sort.
3. Click Again for Descending Order.
   Click the same header text a second time. The rows reverse into highest-to-lowest order:
   • Text columns: Z→A alphabetically
   • Numeric columns: Highest to lowest values
   • Date columns: Newest to oldest
   The arrow flips to ▼ to indicate descending order, and the header background changes to a light green tint to show it's the active sort column.
4. Click a Third Time to Clear Sort.
   If you click a third time, the table returns to its default ordering (typically by the date of last scan). The arrow disappears, and the header text reverts to its normal underlined style.

2. Advanced Sorting Features

The sorting system includes several sophisticated features that make data analysis more powerful:

State Preservation Across Navigation

When you sort a table and then navigate away (for example, by clicking a View button), the system remembers your sort preferences. When you return to the table:

• The same column remains sorted in the same direction
• Your scroll position within the table is preserved
• The visual sort indicators (arrows and highlighting) remain active

This ensures you don't lose your analytical context when drilling into details and returning to the overview.

Multi-Column Sorting Strategy

For complex analysis, you can effectively sort by multiple criteria in sequence:

1. First, sort by your primary criteria (e.g., "Link Count" descending to see most-linked pages first)
2. Then sort by a secondary criteria (e.g., "Page URL" ascending to alphabetize pages with similar link counts)
3. The system maintains logical ordering that respects both sorting operations

Data Type Intelligence

The system automatically recognizes and handles different data types correctly:

• Numeric data: Sorts mathematically (so "2" comes before "10", not alphabetically)
• Mixed alphanumeric: Intelligently handles page names like "page1", "page2", "page10"
• Decimal numbers: Correctly orders percentages and scores
• Empty values: Handles missing data by placing it consistently at the end of sort orders

3. Example Sortable Table

Below is a rendered example of a "Top Linking Pages" table with sortable column headers and View buttons. Notice the active sort indicator on the "Page URL" column:

4. Using the View Button for Detailed Analysis

The View button provides immediate access to comprehensive details about any row without losing your place in the table analysis. This feature is essential for drilling down into specific data points while maintaining your analytical workflow.

1. Locate the Row of Interest.
   Use sorting to organize data optimally, then scroll to the row you want to inspect (for example, /about-us.html with Link Count 48).
2. Click View.
   A detailed analysis panel slides in from the right side of the screen. The content varies by table type but typically includes:
   • Page URL: Full path and page title displayed prominently at the top
   • Comprehensive Metrics: Detailed breakdown of all relevant statistics for that item
   • Related Data: Connected information such as linking relationships, traffic patterns, or optimization opportunities
   • Actionable Insights: Specific recommendations for improving that page's performance
   • Historical Context: Timestamps showing when data was last updated or analyzed
   For example, viewing a page's details might show:
   • Total Inbound Links: Complete count with trend information
   • Top Linking Paths: Clickable list of the top 10 pages that link to this page
   • Link Quality Score: Assessment of the SEO value of incoming links
   • Optimization Suggestions: Specific recommendations for improving this page's link profile
3. Return to Table with Context Preserved.
   Click Back to Table in the top-left of the detail panel. The panel slides away smoothly, returning you to the table exactly as you left it:
   • Same sort order and direction maintained
   • Same scroll position preserved
   • Same row highlighting if applicable
   This allows you to continue your analysis seamlessly, comparing multiple rows without losing your analytical context.

5. Strategic Analysis Tips & Best Practices

• Sort Before Viewing: Establish your analytical priorities first. If you need the page with the most links, click "Link Count" until you see the downward arrow ▼, then click View on the top row for immediate access to your highest-performing content.
• Multi-Column Analysis Strategy: First sort by your primary metric (like "Link Count" descending), then by a secondary criterion (like "Page URL" ascending) to break ties and create logical groupings for analysis.
• Efficient Data Navigation: All rows load in a single view, eliminating pagination delays. If you don't see your target row, sort by "Page URL" ascending to locate it alphabetically, or use "Last Updated" to find recently modified content.
• Preserve Your Analysis Context: Take advantage of state preservation by setting up your ideal sort order once, then using View buttons to investigate multiple rows. Your sort preferences persist throughout your session.
• Handle Missing Data Gracefully: Empty cells and missing values automatically sort to the end of the list, making it easy to identify incomplete data that might need attention.
• Optimize for Different Goals:
  • For opportunity identification: Sort by metrics descending to find high-value targets
  • For problem discovery: Sort by metrics ascending to find underperforming content
  • For systematic review: Sort alphabetically by URL to methodically examine all content
• Quick Problem Resolution: If any table displays No data available. Run optimization to see results., return to Dashboard Overview, click Optimize, and return once the scan completes. Your sort preferences will be remembered even after the optimization.

6. Understanding Data Types in Context

Different tables contain different types of data, and understanding how each sorts helps you analyze more effectively:

Common Column Types and Their Sorting Behavior

• Page URLs: Sort alphabetically, with folder structure respected (e.g., "/blog/post-1" comes before "/blog/post-2")
• Link Counts: Sort numerically, making it easy to identify pages with the most or fewest connections
• Percentages and Scores: Sort as decimal numbers, allowing precise ranking of performance metrics
• Timestamps: Sort chronologically, helping you identify recently updated content or find stale pages
• Page Types: Sort alphabetically by type (Article, Page, etc.), useful for filtering analysis by content category

Mixed Data Handling

When columns contain mixed data types (like page URLs with different structures), the system uses intelligent algorithms to maintain logical ordering while respecting the predominant data pattern.

7. Next Steps

You've learned how to effectively reorder and analyze table data using the platform's advanced sorting capabilities. These skills are essential for making data-driven SEO decisions across all areas of the platform. To troubleshoot common issues or learn about specific scenarios, visit FAQs, or go back to Introduction for a refresher on the overall platform workflow.