# "The" in Titles

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/the-in-titles/939269>\
**Category:** Plex Media Server\
**Tags:** server-windows\
**Created:** [May 30, 2026, 1:07am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/the-in-titles/939269 "2026-05-30T01:07:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![TheSarcasticWit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a4c791/32.png) [@TheSarcasticWit](https://forums.plex.tv/u/TheSarcasticWit)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2026, 1:07am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/the-in-titles/939269/1 "2026-05-30T01:07:48Z")

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Server Version#:  
Player Version#:  
\<If providing [server logs](https://support.plex.tv/articles/200250417-plex-media-server-log-files/) please do NOT turn on verbose logging, only [debug logging](https://support.plex.tv/articles/201643703-reporting-issues-with-plex-media-server/#toc-1) should be enabled\>

Is Plex EVER GOING to fix the issue with using “The” in the titles???..I realize that some may not want “The” used in the sort order, but I know I do, and I am sure there are others that do…

I have been dealing with this “issue” since day 1, and have never seen any movement on it…but Plex has no problem adding “features” that I don’t want/need/use…

While I have a lifetime plex pass, I have begun to look at other options…Kodi…Emby…Jellyfin…hoping to find one I like, and has more options for this sorting issue…

I don’t know that is so hard about giving users the option to say use “the” as the first worst in sort with title that start with “the”…

Hell, I bet the despised AI could figure it out!!!

As an aside, the options for “tags” SUCKS!!!

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**Author:** ![shark2k](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/shark2k/32/305908_2.png) [@shark2k](https://forums.plex.tv/u/shark2k)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2026, 1:15am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/the-in-titles/939269/2 "2026-05-30T01:15:07Z")

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Use the advanced hidden server settings:

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

You want the “ArticleStrings” preference and I believe to do what you want, you just clear it out.

-Shark2k

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**Author:** ![TheSarcasticWit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a4c791/32.png) [@TheSarcasticWit](https://forums.plex.tv/u/TheSarcasticWit)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2026, 12:52pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/the-in-titles/939269/3 "2026-05-30T12:52:12Z")

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I am not sure if I did this correctly as it did not work…

I created a string value named ArticleStrings, but left it blank…was I supposed to enter the in as a value in the string?

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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:** [May 30, 2026, 2:09pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/the-in-titles/939269/4 "2026-05-30T14:09:02Z")

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Did you refresh metadata on the entire library after making the change? Keep in mind refreshing may alter other metadata as well

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**Author:** ![shark2k](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/shark2k/32/305908_2.png) [@shark2k](https://forums.plex.tv/u/shark2k)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2026, 6:54pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/the-in-titles/939269/5 "2026-05-30T18:54:53Z")

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As @veeejay said, refresh the metadata for the entire library as that should force the setting to take place. You might be able to refresh the metadata on one series/movie that starts with one of the articles as a test to confirm it works before refreshing the metadata for the whole library.

-Shark2k

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**Author:** ![TheSarcasticWit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a4c791/32.png) [@TheSarcasticWit](https://forums.plex.tv/u/TheSarcasticWit)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2026, 8:44pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/the-in-titles/939269/6 "2026-05-30T20:44:28Z")

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Thanks to both Veeejay and Shark2K for helping me solve this issue!!!

Many thanks to both!!!