diff --git a/qt/aqt/table.py b/qt/aqt/table.py
index dc4be504b..76b3d2f5a 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/table.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/table.py
@@ -375,15 +375,15 @@ class Table:
     def _on_sort_column_changed(self, section: int, order: int) -> None:
         order = bool(order)
         column = self._model.column_at_section(section)
-        if column.is_sortable:
-            sort_key = column.key
-        else:
+        if column.sorting == Columns.SORTING_NONE:
             showInfo(tr.browsing_sorting_on_this_column_is_not())
             sort_key = self._state.sort_column
+        else:
+            sort_key = column.key
         if self._state.sort_column != sort_key:
             self._state.sort_column = sort_key
             # default to descending for non-text fields
-            if column.sorts_reversed:
+            if column.sorting == Columns.SORTING_REVERSED:
                 order = not order
             self._state.sort_backwards = order
             self.browser.search()
@@ -1094,8 +1094,7 @@ def addon_column_fillin(key: str) -> Column:
     return Column(
         key=key,
         label=tr.browsing_addon(),
-        is_sortable=False,
-        sorts_reversed=False,
+        sorting=Columns.SORTING_NONE,
         uses_cell_font=False,
         alignment=Columns.ALIGNMENT_CENTER,
     )
diff --git a/rslib/backend.proto b/rslib/backend.proto
index 8384ba864..c72643937 100644
--- a/rslib/backend.proto
+++ b/rslib/backend.proto
@@ -1055,6 +1055,11 @@ message FindAndReplaceIn {
 }
 
 message BrowserColumns {
+  enum Sorting {
+    SORTING_NONE = 0;
+    SORTING_NORMAL = 1;
+    SORTING_REVERSED = 2;
+  }
   enum Alignment {
     ALIGNMENT_START = 0;
     ALIGNMENT_CENTER = 1;
@@ -1062,8 +1067,7 @@ message BrowserColumns {
   message Column {
     string key = 1;
     string label = 2;
-    bool is_sortable = 3;
-    bool sorts_reversed = 4;
+    Sorting sorting = 3;
     bool uses_cell_font = 5;
     Alignment alignment = 6;
   }
diff --git a/rslib/src/backend/search/browser_table.rs b/rslib/src/backend/search/browser_table.rs
index ca1b431ef..41c3aaf15 100644
--- a/rslib/src/backend/search/browser_table.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/backend/search/browser_table.rs
@@ -59,15 +59,18 @@ impl browser_table::Column {
         pb::browser_columns::Column {
             key: self.to_string(),
             label: self.localized_label(i18n),
-            is_sortable: self.is_sortable(),
-            sorts_reversed: self == browser_table::Column::NoteField,
+            sorting: self.sorting() as i32,
             uses_cell_font: self.uses_cell_font(),
             alignment: self.alignment() as i32,
         }
     }
 
-    fn is_sortable(self) -> bool {
-        !matches!(self, Self::Question | Self::Answer | Self::Custom)
+    fn sorting(self) -> pb::browser_columns::Sorting {
+        match self {
+            Self::Question | Self::Answer | Self::Custom => pb::browser_columns::Sorting::None,
+            Self::NoteField => pb::browser_columns::Sorting::Reversed,
+            _ => pb::browser_columns::Sorting::Normal,
+        }
     }
 
     fn uses_cell_font(self) -> bool {