---
title: Sort and limit data with Flux
description: Use the sort()function to order records within each table by specific columns and the limit() function to limit the number of records in output tables to a fixed number, n.
url: https://docs.influxdata.com/enterprise_influxdb/v1/flux/guides/sort-limit/
estimated_tokens: 444
publisher: InfluxData
canonical: https://docs.influxdata.com/enterprise_influxdb/v1/flux/guides/sort-limit/
date: '2025-01-13T07:21:11-07:00'
lastmod: '2025-01-13T07:21:11-07:00'
---

Use the [`sort()`function](/flux/v0/stdlib/universe/sort)to order records within each table by specific columns and the[`limit()` function](/flux/v0/stdlib/universe/limit)to limit the number of records in output tables to a fixed number, `n`.

If you’re just getting started with Flux queries, check out the following:

* [Get started with Flux](/enterprise_influxdb/v1/flux/get-started/) for a conceptual overview of Flux and parts of a Flux query.
* [Execute queries](/enterprise_influxdb/v1/flux/guides/execute-queries/) to discover a variety of ways to run your queries.

##### Example sorting system uptime

The following example orders system uptime first by region, then host, then value.

```js
from(bucket: "db/rp")
    |> range(start: -12h)
    |> filter(fn: (r) => r._measurement == "system" and r._field == "uptime")
    |> sort(columns: ["region", "host", "_value"])
```

The [`limit()` function](/flux/v0/stdlib/universe/limit)limits the number of records in output tables to a fixed number, `n`.
The following example shows up to 10 records from the past hour.

```js
from(bucket:"db/rp")
    |> range(start:-1h)
    |> limit(n:10)
```

You can use `sort()` and `limit()` together to show the top N records.
The example below returns the 10 top system uptime values sorted first by
region, then host, then value.

```js
from(bucket: "db/rp")
    |> range(start: -12h)
    |> filter(fn: (r) => r._measurement == "system" and r._field == "uptime")
    |> sort(columns: ["region", "host", "_value"])
    |> limit(n: 10)
```

You now have created a Flux query that sorts and limits data.
Flux also provides the [`top()`](/flux/v0/stdlib/universe/top)and [`bottom()`](/flux/v0/stdlib/universe/bottom)functions to perform both of these functions at the same time.