How to Use itemgetter to Sort Dictionary Lists in Python

Submitted by razormist on Monday, June 22, 2026 - 23:21.

In this tutorial, we will learn how to program "How to Use itemgetter to Sort Dictionary Lists in Python". The objective is to use the `itemgetter` function to sort a list of dictionaries. This tutorial will guide you step by step through the process of sorting dictionaries using `itemgetter`. By the end of this tutorial, you will have a solid understanding of how to implement this solution effectively in Python, helping you strengthen your problem-solving abilities and improve your coding skills.

This topic is straightforward and easy to understand. By following the instructions provided, you will be able to complete it with ease. The program will guide you step by step through the process of sorting a dictionary list using `itemgetter`. So, let’s dive into the coding process!

Getting Started:

First you will have to download & install the Python IDLE's, here's the link for the Integrated Development And Learning Environment for Python https://www.python.org/downloads/.

Creating Main Function

This is the main function of the application. The following code will display a simple GUI in terminal console that will display program. To do this, simply copy and paste these blocks of code into the IDLE text editor.

from operator import itemgetter
 
# MAIN LOOP
while True:
    print("\n============= Use itemgetter to Sort Dictionary Lists =============\n")
 
    try:
        n = int(input("Enter the number of records: "))
 
        d = []
 
        for i in range(n):
            print(f"\nRecord {i + 1}")
            name = input("Enter name: ")
            age = int(input("Enter age: "))
 
            d.append({"name": name, "age": age})
 
        print("\nOriginal List:")
        print(d)
 
        # Sort by age
        sorted_list = sorted(d, key=itemgetter('age'))
 
        print("\nSorted by age:")
        print(sorted_list)
 
    except ValueError:
        print("Invalid input. Please enter valid values.")
        continue
 
    # Try Again Option
    opt = input("\nDo you want to try again? (yes/no): ").strip().lower()
 
    if opt == 'no':
        print("Exiting program...")
        break
    elif opt != 'yes':
        print("Invalid choice. Exiting program...")
        break

This program sorts a list of dictionaries using Python’s `itemgetter()` function from the `operator` module. It allows users to enter multiple records containing names and ages, then sorts the dictionary list based on the age value. The program displays both the original and sorted lists and repeats until the user chooses to exit.

Output:

There you have it we successfully created How to Use itemgetter to Sort Dictionary Lists in Python. I hope that this simple tutorial help you to what you are looking for. For more updates and tutorials just kindly visit this site. Enjoy Coding!

More Tutorials for Python Language

Python Tutorials