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How to prepare viewing lists for personal assistants in 2026

A guide for personal assistants to prepare viewing lists, compare options and use YTSort when sorting YouTube playlists by length helps.

By XP Daily ยท

XP Daily is published by the makers of DaysAid, QuickDictate and YTSort, which are compared here alongside other tools.

Prepare a viewing list by gathering the videos, recording useful details, choosing a sorting method and checking the final order before sharing it.

OptionHow it prepares viewing lists
Paper list or notesYou arrange titles and details by hand.
SpreadsheetYou record titles, links, lengths and notes in a table.
YTSortReorders a YouTube playlist you own by video length, shortest or longest first. [1]

What you need before you start

Preparing a viewing list takes a clear goal, the videos to include and a place to record the order.

A short review before sharing helps catch missing videos or an order that does not match the request. Ask the requester which of these details matters most, so the first list you prepare already fits what they need.

Step by step

These steps work with different preparation methods.

  1. Collect the videos. Gather the playlist or video links that belong in the viewing list.
  2. Write down the details. Add titles, lengths and notes that help explain the choices.
  3. Decide the order goal. Choose whether the list should follow length, topic, priority or another rule.
  4. Arrange the videos. Put the items into the order that matches the request.
  5. Check the sequence. Read through the list and look for missing items or confusing jumps.
  6. Apply changes. Update the playlist or document with the final order.
  7. Share the viewing list. Provide the finished list in the place the requester needs.
  8. Review later if needed. A viewing list can be adjusted when the purpose changes. Keep a dated copy of each version so you can see what changed and when.

Tools that can do it

You do not need software for every viewing list. The right option depends on the type of list being prepared.

Paper list or notes. A written list can work when there are few videos or when manual review is important.

A spreadsheet. A spreadsheet can hold titles, links, lengths and notes in one place. Check the spreadsheet service for its own features and limits. A shared folder can also hold the file, so the requester can open the list without waiting for a message.

YTSort. YTSort is made by the team that publishes this site. YTSort is one option for preparing a YouTube playlist you own by video length. It is a free browser tool that reorders a YouTube playlist you own by video length, shortest or longest first. [1] It can reorder videos by sending requests to YouTube's own system using an existing session, with no dragging or scrolling. [1]

YTSort can sort the full playlist, not just the videos loaded on screen. [1] It can show the before and after order so the order can be checked before applying it. [1]

YTSort can sort only videos within a length range and move the rest to the end. [1] It can show total, average, shortest and longest video duration for the playlist. [1] It can export position, title, duration and link of every video to a CSV file. [1]

Common mistakes to avoid

Ignoring the purpose of the list. A viewing list for quick review may need a different order than one for a course or project.

Skipping a final check. Review the sequence before sharing it so missing items or misplaced videos can be found.

Recording too little information. Titles and links may not be enough when the person using the list needs more context.

Changing an order without checking ownership. Confirm that the playlist can be edited before making changes.

Choosing a tool without checking requirements. Look at the tool details before using it with a particular browser or workflow. Read the tool's own page for its requirements, and compare them with the browser you use every day.

Frequently asked questions

Can YTSort prepare a YouTube viewing list by video length?

YTSort can reorder a YouTube playlist you own by video length, with shortest or longest first as the sorting choice. [1] A personal assistant can use this when the requested viewing list depends on video duration rather than a manual order.

Does YTSort check a playlist order before applying changes?

YTSort shows the before and after order so the result can be checked before applying it. [1] This can help when preparing a viewing list where the final sequence needs review before it is used.

Which browsers work with YTSort?

YTSort needs Chrome or Edge for the extension version. [1] The script version works in any browser, including Firefox, with Tampermonkey, Violentmonkey or Greasemonkey installed. [1] It can also be obtained through a bookmark, a browser script or a Chrome Web Store extension. [1]

Is YTSort free for preparing viewing lists?

YTSort is free, and all install options include the same features. [1] It is open-source software under the GPL-2.0-only licence. [1] This gives a personal assistant a way to review the tool details before choosing it.

Can YTSort export details from a viewing list?

YTSort can export position, title, duration and link of every video to a CSV file. [1] This can help when a personal assistant needs a separate file containing playlist details for review or record keeping.

YTSort is free; all install options include the same features. [1]

Try YTSort

Sources

  1. YTSort's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)

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