Metadata compare and sync - order of display

[ubacher]

By what criteria does the Metadata compare and sync app order the display of files?
I expected them to be in the same order as the selected thumbnails are. (They are not)

[Mario]

It uses the current selection in the File Window, starting with the first selected file.
File Windows don't know or remember in which order you selected files and neither does Metadata C&S
Use a Sort Profile or custom sort order to bring the files into the order you like.

[ubacher]

When I select files 1,2,3,4 then Metadata compare displays 2,3,4,1.

From what I tried it is always the last file which shows as the first.

[Mario]

The focused file (the last one you've clicked) is shown in the leftmost column. This enables you to easily indicate which file you want to use as the reference file for the comparison.
See How It Works for more information.