# Ordering By Relationships

To order by a relationship field, you will use a dot-delimited syntax.

```javascript
getInstance( "Post" ).orderBy( "author.name" );
```

The last item in the dot-delimited string should be an attribute on the related entity.

Nested relationships are also supported.  Continue to chain relationships in your dot-delimited string until arriving at the desired entity.  Remember to end with the attribute to order by.

```javascript
getInstance( "Post" ).orderBy( "author.team.name" );
```

If you desire to be explicit, you can use the `orderByRelated` method, which is what is being called under the hood.

| Name             | Type                | Required | Default | Description                                                                                                                          |
| ---------------- | ------------------- | -------- | ------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| relationshipName | String \| \[String] | `true`   |         | A dot-delimited string of relationship names or an array of relationship names to traverse to get to the related entity to order by. |
| columnName       | string              | `true`   |         | The column name in the final relationship to order by.                                                                               |
| direction        | string              | `false`  | `"asc"` | The direction to sort, `asc` or `desc`.                                                                                              |

```javascript
getInstance( "Post" ).orderByRelated( "author.team", "name" );
// or
getInstance( "Post" ).orderByRelated( [ "author", "team" ], "name" );
```

You might prefer the explicitness of this method, but it cannot handle normal orders like `orderBy`.  Use whichever method you prefer.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://quick.ortusbooks.com/5.1.0-1/guide/relationships/ordering-by-relationships.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.