# sorting libraries

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/sorting-libraries/937715>\
**Category:** Metadata & Adding Files\
**Tags:** server-synology\
**Created:** [April 4, 2026, 3:44pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/sorting-libraries/937715 "2026-04-04T15:44:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ejl7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/47e85d/32.png) [@ejl7](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ejl7)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2026, 3:44pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/sorting-libraries/937715/1 "2026-04-04T15:44:29Z")

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Hi Plex Team

I’m writing to ask if you would consider adding a simple setting that allows users to disable the automatic ignoring of leading articles such as “The”, “A”, and “An” when sorting libraries.

I have a large collection, and manually adjusting this for more than 500 titles is extremely time‑consuming. A single checkbox in the settings would make a huge difference for users like me who prefer full control over how titles are sorted.

Thank you for taking the time to read my request. I really appreciate the work you put into Plex.

Best regards

Ejler

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**Author:** ![veeejay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/9dc877/32.png) [@veeejay](https://forums.plex.tv/u/veeejay)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2026, 4:29pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/sorting-libraries/937715/2 "2026-04-04T16:29:36Z")

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You can remove “the” “an” and “a” in the “hidden” server setting ArticleStrings to have plex not ignore them when creating the Sort Title. If the field doesn’t exist in the hidden settings, create it and leave it blank.

You’ll probably have to refresh all metadata for the library to have plex regenerate the Sort Title for all items. This may impact other fields if they aren’t locked and you’ve made edits.

[https://support.plex.tv/articles/201105343-advanced-hidden-server-settings/](https://support.plex.tv/articles/201105343-advanced-hidden-server-settings/)

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2026, 4:29pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/sorting-libraries/937715/3 "2026-07-03T16:29:54Z")

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