Python program to sort a list of tuples alphabetically

When it is required to sort a list of tuples in alphabetical order, the sort() method can be used. This method performs in-place sorting, meaning the original list gets modified.

The sort() function sorts values in ascending order by default. If descending order is needed, you can specify reverse=True.

A list of tuples contains multiple tuples enclosed within a list. We can sort these tuples based on any element within each tuple using a key function.

Sorting by First Element

Here's how to sort a list of tuples alphabetically by the first element ?

def sort_tuple_vals(my_list):
    my_list.sort(key=lambda x: x[0])
    return my_list

my_list = [("Hey", 18), ("Jane", 33), ("Will", 56), ("Nysa", 35), ("May", "Pink")]

print("The original list is:")
print(my_list)

print("After sorting alphabetically by first element:")
print(sort_tuple_vals(my_list))

The original list is:
[('Hey', 18), ('Jane', 33), ('Will', 56), ('Nysa', 35), ('May', 'Pink')]
After sorting alphabetically by first element:
[('Hey', 18), ('Jane', 33), ('May', 'Pink'), ('Nysa', 35), ('Will', 56)]

Using sorted() for Non-destructive Sorting

To keep the original list unchanged, use sorted() instead ?

original_list = [("Hey", 18), ("Jane", 33), ("Will", 56), ("Nysa", 35)]

sorted_list = sorted(original_list, key=lambda x: x[0])

print("Original list:", original_list)
print("Sorted list:", sorted_list)

Original list: [('Hey', 18), ('Jane', 33), ('Will', 56), ('Nysa', 35)]
Sorted list: [('Hey', 18), ('Jane', 33), ('Nysa', 35), ('Will', 56)]

Sorting by Different Elements

You can sort by any element within the tuples ?

data = [("Alice", 25), ("Bob", 20), ("Charlie", 30)]

# Sort by second element (age)
by_age = sorted(data, key=lambda x: x[1])
print("Sorted by age:", by_age)

# Sort by first element in reverse order
by_name_desc = sorted(data, key=lambda x: x[0], reverse=True)
print("Sorted by name (descending):", by_name_desc)

Sorted by age: [('Bob', 20), ('Alice', 25), ('Charlie', 30)]
Sorted by name (descending): [('Charlie', 30), ('Bob', 20), ('Alice', 25)]

Comparison

Conclusion

Use list.sort(key=lambda x: x[0]) for in-place alphabetical sorting of tuples. Use sorted() when you need to preserve the original list unchanged.