---
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/influxdb/cloud/query-data/flux/sort-limit/
estimated_tokens: 1572
product: InfluxDB Cloud (TSM)
version: cloud
---

# Sort and limit data with Flux

Use [`sort()`](/flux/v0/stdlib/universe/sort) to order records within each table by specific columns and [`limit()`](/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](/flux/v0/get-started/) for a conceptual overview of Flux and parts of a Flux query.
-   [Execute queries](/influxdb/cloud/query-data/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: "example-bucket")
    |> 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:"example-bucket")
    |> 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: "example-bucket")
    |> 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.

#### Related

-   [sort() function](/flux/v0/stdlib/universe/sort/)
-   [limit() function](/flux/v0/stdlib/universe/limit/)

[sort](/influxdb/cloud/tags/sort/) [limit](/influxdb/cloud/tags/limit/)