It happens frequently that clients send me an update or addition to an existing list (whether it’s a list of text items, a list of people, a set of slides, or some other list). And usually they send me just the information I need.
However, more often than not, they do not remember to tell me where in the list I should insert the new item. If I’m lucky, there is a formula or set of rules that tell me where to add the new information. For example, if the site lists the members of the board of directors or staff, and we are consistent about listing then in alphabetical order by last name, then I can guess where the new person should be added.
But if the people are listed by some internal criteria that I don’t know, then I need to be told where to place the new person. Let’s suppose your site lists five people with photos and bios, and you send the information for a new person to add to the list. If there is no formula, you need to be explicit and tell me “Place Alice between John and Mary” or “Place Alice at the end of the list, after Jack.”
Bottom line: if list items are ordered based on a rule or formula, you don’t need to tell me, and I don’t need to guess.
Try these formulas for ordering list items:
By time
- event schedule
- list of classes, workshops, or sessions
By date in chronological order
- list of classes, workshops, or sessions
- list of coming events, exhibits, programs
By date in reverse chronological order
- list of publications
- list of past events or historical timeline
- list of awarded items or recognition (such as employee of the month)
Alphabetically
- members of a team, with no implied hierarchy
- products or other items of equal value
By seniority or importance
- members of a group in a hierarchical order (such as company officers or a board of directors)
- list of awards, recognition, or memberships
