OneDrive File Issues

Can You Set a Default Sort Order in OneDrive? How to Manage Views

Bushra Parveen Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know how to permanently set a default sort order (such as alphabetical A-Z) and a default Details view for all folders in OneDrive, rather than adjusting it manually every time.

How to Set a Default Sort Order in OneDrive

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Navigating through multiple folders in OneDrive online or on a mobile device and wanting files to be sorted automatically by name and displayed in a specific layout.
Observed behavior: OneDrive does not remember the user's preferred sort order or view settings across different folders or sessions, requiring manual sorting each time a folder is opened.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged into your Microsoft account and check if your OneDrive interface is up to date, as Microsoft occasionally updates available view options.

Solution 1Recommended

Manually Sort Files and Submit Feature Feedback

Since OneDrive does not currently support a permanent, global default sort setting on the web or mobile, you must adjust the view per folder and request this feature from Microsoft.

Unfortunately, OneDrive Online and the mobile app do not currently provide a user setting to permanently save a global default sort order (such as A–Z) or a default Details view for every folder. The system often resets to its default behavior when navigating between directories.

To manage your files effectively in the meantime, you will need to apply the sort settings manually per folder and consider submitting feedback to Microsoft to highlight this missing feature.

Open the target folder

Navigate to the specific OneDrive folder you wish to view on the web or your mobile device.

Adjust the sort order

Click or tap the 'Sort' menu at the top of the file list and select 'Name' (or your preferred criteria) to arrange the files.

Change the layout view

Click the 'View options' icon in the top right corner and select 'List' or 'Details' as your preferred layout.

Submit feature feedback

Click the 'Settings' gear icon, select 'Feedback', and request that Microsoft add a persistent default sorting and view preference across all folders.

Current Limitation: You will need to repeat this sorting process when opening new folders or starting new sessions until Microsoft introduces a global default view setting.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive keep changing my folder view to tiles?

OneDrive often defaults to the Tiles or Grid view automatically for folders containing images or media. Currently, there is no global setting in the web version to force the Details view permanently across all folders.

Can I set folders to always sort by date modified in OneDrive?

You can manually sort a specific folder by 'Date modified' using the Sort menu, but OneDrive Online will not save this as a permanent, global default for all other folders.

Does the OneDrive desktop app remember folder sort settings better than the web version?

Yes. If you use the OneDrive sync client on Windows or Mac, your local File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) handles the folder views. These local operating systems are fully capable of remembering your preferred sort order and view layouts permanently.

Is there any browser extension to force a default sort order in OneDrive Online?

While some third-party extensions attempt to manipulate web page layouts, there is no official or widely supported extension that reliably forces OneDrive's web interface to maintain a default sort order due to how Microsoft frequently updates the site's code.

Document & File Issues