Create a folder in a list when creating a view is not sufficient to group and/or manage your content in lists created in Microsoft SharePoint, the Lists app in Microsoft 365, or Teams.
Creating a folder in a list is similar to creating SharePoint libraries. But in lists, you cannot create a folder until the list owner or a user with design permissions turns on the ability to create a folder:
To turn on the ability to create a folder
- Go to List settings > Advanced settings > Folders.
- Under Make "New Folder" command available?, select Yes.
- Select OK.
Create a folder in a list
By default, you use the New Folder command to create a folder in Microsoft 365 lists. However, the New Folder may not be available unless the list owner or administrator has turned on that feature.
Go to the SharePoint site containing the list where you want to add the folder.
Or in Microsoft Teams, from the Files tab at the top of your channel, select More > Open in SharePoint.Select the name of the list on the Quick Launch bar, or select Settings
, select Site contents, and then select the title of the list you want to add folders to.Note
Does your screen look different than this and you're using SharePoint? Your administrator may have SharePoint Classic experience set on the document library. If so, see Creating a folder in a SharePoint Classic experience list.
In the top toolbar, select the + New button, and then select Folder from the dropdown.
Note
If the + New folder command is not visible, you can turn it back on with at least owner or designer permissions. Select Settings
, select List settings, and then select Advanced settings. In the Folders section, select Yes for Make "New Folder" command available. Then, refresh your screen, and repeat this step.In the Folder dialog, enter a folder name in the field, and then select Create.
-
Note
To change the folder name, select the ellipses ... and then select Edit. Change the folder name, and click Save.
(Optional) You can invite people to share the folder. For more info, see Edit and manage permissions for a SharePoint list or library.
Tip
Consider using SharePoint views instead of folders, because they enable content to be filtered, grouped, and sorted in multiple ways. If you have a large list, a combination of views and folders might work best. To create views, see Create, change, or delete a view of a list or library.
Create a folder in a Classic experience list
To create a folder in SharePoint Classic experience, follow these steps.
Note
If the New Folder command is not available, you can turn it back on if you have at least owner or designer permissions. On the Library tab of the ribbon, select Library Settings, and then select Advanced settings. In the Folder section, make sure that the Yes option is selected for Make "New Folder" command available.
Navigate to the SharePoint site containing the list where you want to add the folder.
Select the name of the list on the Quick Launch bar, or select Settings
, and select Site contents, and then select the title of the list you want to add folders to.Note
Designers can modify the appearance and navigation of a site significantly. If you cannot locate an option, such as a command, button, or link, contact your administrator.
On the ribbon, select the Items tab, and in the New group, select New Folder.
Note
If the New Folder command is not available, you can turn it back on if you have at least owner or designer permissions. On the List tab of the ribbon, select List Settings, and then select Advanced settings. In the Folder section, make sure that the Yes option is selected for Make "New Folder" command available.
Note
To change the folder name later on, select the ellipses ... , select the ellipses ... in the dialog, and then select Rename. Change the folder name in the Name field, and then select Save.
In the Create a new folder dialog, enter a folder name in the Name field, and then select Create.
Other articles on folders and files
Move or copy a folder, file, or link in a document library
Create a folder in a SharePoint document library
Delete a folder from a SharePoint list
Delete a file, folder, or link from a SharePoint document library
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