It is presented a method for encoding haptic data for a plurality of channels. The method comprises the steps of: determining an order of the plurality of channels in a first list based on a respective previous codeword data item for each of the plurality of channels, each previous codeword data item being either a no-change data item, or a change data item, wherein the order is such that all no-change previous codeword data items are arranged at one end of the first list; arranging current codewords in a second list accordance with the channel order of the first list; grouping the current codewords in consecutive groups; generating a group index indicating whether each group contains only no-change codewords or at least one change codeword; and outputting the group index along with current codewords, wherein current codewords are only output for groups containing at least one change codeword.