In which order does a filter sort issues by label if issues have multiple labels?

Question

I am using lables to create a hierarchy for a large amount of issues (as with subtasks and epics you basically have only 3 levels). I am naming labels 1-label-name-level-1, 2-label-name-level-2 , 3-label-name-level-3. Unfortunately the issues are not sorted as expected when I create a filter and sort by issues. They ARE sorted alphabetically for the first label but from the second label on the sorting is not alphabetical any more. The issues are often sorted like this (lines are issues in filter, strings are labels):

1-Features; 2-Tagging; 3-Plugin

1-Features; 2-Localization

1-Features; 2-Tagging; 3-Module

I don't see the system which the issues are ordered by. I would find it intuitive if the issues would be sorted by the labels alphabetically which would be in my example

1-Features; 2-Localization

1-Features; 2-Tagging; 3-Module

1-Features; 2-Tagging; 3-Plugin

Does anyone know how I can get such a sort order for labels in my filters?

David Castell · Answer

The sort order appears to be the same order in which Jira displays the labels on an issue. I tried to control that order by removing then readding labels, but that had no effect on the display order. I suspect it may be the order in which the labels were created.

I too would like to display issues in a filter, ordered by labels. And I'm willing to put my labels in order ... if the software would play ball.

Christoph Schötz · Answer

Well then good luck, maybe ask the Atlassian support about the sorting of labels...

Michael_q6tvsm · Answer

Christoph, we haven't tried the Structure Add-On and we don't plan to. It's a money thing. I am talking about one big project and looking at it as such is the most logical thing. Components and Fix Versions is not what I would like to use. I am able to create the hierarchy with labels and it gives me great flexibility. The only thing I need is for the labels to be sorted in a alphabetical order. Writing down the hierarchy in the summery does not make sense. I would lose all the navigational and other benefits which I get from using labels.