Sort list by checked/unchecked state

Question

I was wondering if org-mode offers a function to sort a list by the item states? So that checked items appear on top and unchecked items at the bottom? For example with this list

- [ ] Not yet done
- [x] Already done
- [ ] Not yet done
- [x] Already done
- [ ] Not yet done
- [x] Already done
- [ ] Not yet done
- [x] Already done

I would get this list:

- [x] Already done
- [x] Already done
- [x] Already done
- [x] Already done
- [ ] Not yet done
- [ ] Not yet done
- [ ] Not yet done
- [ ] Not yet done

Answer 1

org-sort (bound to C-c ^) on a plain list will prompt for the sort method. One of the sorting options is [x]checked.

So C-c ^ x will do the job.

Answer 2

I don't know if Org has the function, but since the list is well-organized, you can simply use Emacs' sorting commands (see (info "(emacs) Sorting"))

If you don't mind changing exiting order, select the list and M-x sort-lines, this command simply sorts lines in region alphabetically. If you mind, you can use one of the following two methods.

• Select the region from the first [ to the last ] and C-u M-x sort-columns
• Select the list and type C-u M-x sort-regexp-fields RET ^.*$ RET \[.\] RET

(Note that - [ ] is lexicographically smaller than - [x] since ASCII code of (white space) is 32 and x's is 120).