> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://learn.withessential.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://learn.withessential.com/customers-and-work/scheduling/filter-and-sort-the-backlog.md).

# Filter and sort the backlog

The Backlog panel has filter and sort controls to help you decide what to schedule next. You can filter by Visit Type, by Visit Category (the kind of equipment, such as extinguishers or sprinklers), or by a Due Date range, and combine them to narrow the list.

Your Customer and Property custom fields appear as filters too. Each custom field gets its own row in the Filter menu, labeled with the field's name and whether it lives on the Property or the Customer. Pick one and check the values you want — the backlog narrows to visits whose property (or customer) has one of the checked values. Only nonempty values that appear on backlog visits are listed. If a selected value stops appearing because its last matching visit was scheduled, the choice stays visible until you clear it, so an active filter never becomes hidden. A search box above the checkboxes lets you find a value quickly when the list is long.

Values are listed the way you'd read them: alphabetically, with any numbers in order of size rather than character by character — so a Zone list reads 1, 2, 3, 6a, 6b, 6c, 10, 11, 12, not 1, 10, 11, 2, 20, 3. Number and date fields are ordered by value. Extra spaces at the start or end of a typed value are ignored, so "Zone 3" and " Zone 3" show up as one checkbox instead of two.

You can sort by Due Date (Soonest First or Latest First) or by Create Date (Oldest First or Newest First). There's also a Filter by Address, Name box at the top of the panel for a quick text search by customer or property.

These controls only change what you see in the backlog; they don't change the visits themselves.

> **Where to find it:** Scheduling page, the Backlog panel, the filter and sort controls

## Related guides

* [Add work orders (visit types) and contacts with reminders to a visit](/customers-and-work/scheduling/add-work-orders-visit-types-and-contacts-with-reminders-to-a-visit.md)
* [Deleting a scheduled visit is permanent](/customers-and-work/scheduling/deleting-a-scheduled-visit-is-permanent.md)
* [Exact time vs. estimated, duration, technician count, and due date](/customers-and-work/scheduling/exact-time-vs-estimated-duration-technician-count-and-due-date.md)
* [Work with the scheduling backlog](/customers-and-work/scheduling/work-with-the-scheduling-backlog.md)
* [Create a new visit](/customers-and-work/scheduling/create-a-new-visit.md)


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## 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, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://learn.withessential.com/customers-and-work/scheduling/filter-and-sort-the-backlog.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

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.