Sort text in an array based on Y coordinate

[subieguy2]

I am trying to find the x and y coordinates to some text frames. Once I get the x, y... I would like to sort them by the y coordinate. Which ever line is highest up should be the first in an array it gets passed to.

So using this as an example.....

Then some written out code (it doesn't function...just trying to get my point across)...

var doc = app.activeDocument;
var allText = doc.textFrames;
var textPos = [x, y];
for (var i = 0; i < allText.length; i++) {
textPos.push(allText.position);
}
textPos.sort(Y);

The output of textPos would be

textPos[0] = "This line of text";
textPos[1] = "then another line";
textPos[2] = "here is some more";

Then I will join them together to make one string...

var finalSentence = textPos.join();

finalSentence will be:
"This line of text then another line here is some more"

Separated by a space between each array item.

Any help would be much appreciated!

[Loic.Aigon · Accepted solution]

var doc = app.activeDocument;  
var allText = doc.textFrames; 
var n  = allText.length;
var textArray = [];
while (n--) textArray = allText;
var sortFn = function(a,b){
return a.top < b.top;
}
textArray.sort( sortFn );
n = textArray.length;
var strs = [];
while (n--) strs = textArray.contents;
alert (strs.join(" ") );

[subieguy2]

Thank you for your help and response!

Can you explain to me how to "access" just the y coordinates when using textFrame.position?

If I do an alert it shows me the x and y coordinates.... but how do I access them specifically?

Sorry I am just not getting it and I feel like this is something I need to learn/understand.

[subieguy2]

Ok.... so I try not to throw out all of my code and sometimes it makes it harder for me to incorporate someone's suggestions. I am a designer... not a programmer. But... I am trying

So @Loic.Aigon

Any chance you could SHOW me how to incorporate it into my blocks of code???

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

#target illustrator-22
var doc = app.activeDocument;
var allText = doc.textFrames;
var boldText = app.textFonts.getByName("Arial-Black");
var titleLines = [];
// GET THE TITLE AND TYPE OF DOCUMENT
for (var i = 0; i < allText.length; i++) {
    var textFieldRange = allText.textRange;
    var textProps = textFieldRange.characterAttributes;
    if (textProps.textFont == boldText && allText.contents == "Electrical System") {
        var mediaType = allText.contents;
        // Electrical Publication information
        var dpso = "00000321";
        var smcs = "7566";
    } else if (textProps.textFont == boldText && (allText.contents == "Hydraulic System" ||
            allText.contents == "Hydraulic System - Attachment" || allText.contents == "Powertrain System" ||
            allText.contents == "Air System" || allText.contents == "Cooling System")) {
        var mediaType = allText.contents;
        // Hydraulic Publication information
        var dpso = "00000989";
        var smcs = "5050";
    } else if (textProps.textFont == boldText && (allText.contents != "Electrical System" || allText.contents != "Hydraulic System" ||
            allText.contents != "Hydraulic System - Attachment" || allText.contents != "Powertrain System" ||
            allText.contents != "Air System" || allText.contents != "Cooling System")) {
        // This is where I need to sort by the Y coordinate. This could be anywhere from 1 line up to 4 lines
        // Again I need it whichever allText.position is highest on Y to be the first line of the title
        titleLines.sort(SORT IT BY Y)
        titleLines.join(Put together in order with a space between)
    } else {
        mediaType == null;
    }
}

Thank you for sticking with me! Lines 29 - 32 are my notes and psudo code

[Loic.Aigon]

position is an array so you  need to adress the specific property per its index like position[0]

[Loic.Aigon]

Well I think it's all in your hands now. Just build your array of text frames, then use the sort array function I provided.

[subieguy2]

Thank you! I did use your function and it works great! Not sure why I couldn't figure it out... looks like walking away from it for a day and coming back was what I needed to see it. LOL

Thank you again for the help!