Git file history and log appear unsorted: Date column shows the author date

Problem

The commit list is not ordered by the dates in its Date column. An older commit appears above a newer one, often right below a merge commit. This happens in the Log tab of the Git tool window and in a file's History tab.

Cause

Every git commit has two dates: when the change was written (author date) and when the commit was created (commit date). Rebase, cherry-pick, amend, and squash keep the first and reset the second.

The list is sorted by commit date. The Date column shows the author date. When the two differ, the order looks wrong even though it is correct.

Resolution

Show the date the list is sorted by:

1. Open the Log tab of the Git tool window, or a file's History tab.
2. Click View Options, the eye icon on the toolbar.
3. Select Commit Timestamp.

The rows stay in the same order. Only the dates change, and they now descend correctly.

The IDE cannot sort by author date. To request it, vote for Sort Git Log by Author date.