Module Articles Category: How to group articles and order by category order?

Question

I use the Joomla module 'Articles Category' to present articles grouped by category.

Under the 'Grouping Options' tab I selected 'Article Grouping -> Category'. But it only provides ordering by title. Now I need to be able to order by category order. How do I achieve that?

Overrides / core modifications are fine.

Answer 1

This is exactly what I need to have solved, but usable modification nowhere. So I start to looking for solution on my own.

This is how module orders by articles (helper.php):

$articles->setState('list.ordering', $params->get('article_ordering', 'a.ordering'));

I am not sure, but after I checked database category columns, there are lft and rgt, which looks that it can be used for ordering. I will be happy if somebody smarter will approve that I am right.

So, I have these categories:

People (lft: 173, rgt: 182)
-- Leaders (lft: 174, rgt: 175)
-- Internal Staff (lft: 176, rgt: 177)
-- External Staff (lft: 178, rgt: 179)
-- Others (lft: 180, rgt: 181)

I need to order only by subcategories as my main category is empty. But as you can see, it can be also used to order main category over the subcategories.

Finally, I just tried to modify article ordering this way and it works!!! :)

$articles->setState('list.ordering', 'c.lft, '.$params->get('article_ordering', 'a.ordering'));

Maybe it will be also helpful for others.

Answer 2

You can achieve this if you adjust following options in tab 'Filtering Options'
1. Category Filtering Type - Inclusive
2. Category - add all categories you want to show articles from
3. Child Category Articles - if you have them adjust accordingly