PHP array_multisort() Function

Last Updated : 17 Mar 2025

The array_multisort() is an built-in function in PHP. This function is used to sort multiple arrays at once or a multi-dimensional array with each dimension. This function was introduced in PHP 4.0.

Syntax

Parameters

Parameter	Description	Required/Optional
array1	Specifies an array.	compulsory
Sorting order	Specifies the sorting order. Possible values: SORT_ASC - Default. Sort in ascending order (A-Z) SORT_DESC -Sort in descending order (Z-A)	Optional
Sorting type	Specifies the type to use when comparing elements. Possible values: SORT_REGULAR:Default. Compare elements normally (Standard ASCII) SORT_NUMERIC:Compare elements as numeric values SORT_STRING:Compare elements as string values SORT_LOCALE_STRING:Compare elements as a string, based on the current locale (can be changed using setlocale()) SORT_NATURAL:Compare elements as strings using "natural ordering" like natsort() SORT_FLAG_CASE:Can be combined (bitwise OR) with SORT_STRING or SORT_NATURAL to sort strings case-insensitively	Optional
array2	Specifies an array.	Optional
array3	Specifies an array.	Optional

Return Type

The array_multisort()function returns true on success or false on failure.

Important note: String keys will be maintained, but numeric keys will be re-indexed, starting at 0 and increase by 1. If two members on comparing become equal, their relative order in the sorted array is undefined.

Example 1

Output:

Array
(
    [0] =>dhoni
    [1] =>ganguly
    [2] =>sachin
    [3] =>umesh
    [4] =>virat
    [5] =>yuvraj
)

Example 2

Output:

Array
(
    [0] => Dell
    [1] => Lenovo
)
Array
(
    [0] => Asus
    [1] => Acer
)

Example 3

Output:

Array
(
    [0] => java
    [1] =>php
    [2] =>php
)
Array
(
    [0] =>perl
    [1] => python
    [2] =>swift)

Example 4

Output:

Array
(
    [0] => java
    [1] =>php
    [2] =>php
)
Array
(
    [0] => python
    [1] => swift
    [2] =>perl
)

Next TopicPhp-array-natcasesort-function

← prev next →