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Fix Missing Next and Previous Arrows in SharePoint Document Preview
Question details
Users are unable to find the next and previous arrows on the SharePoint document preview toolbar to navigate between files.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Previewing documents within a SharePoint library and attempting to navigate to the next or previous document.
- Observed behavior
- The preview toolbar turns black and is missing the navigation arrows. Additionally, applied library views or filters may reset after closing the preview window.
Confirm whether this behavior is affecting multiple users across your organization, as this strongly indicates a global service-side update rather than a localized browser issue.
Escalate to Microsoft 365 Support via Admin Center
Since the missing arrows result from a service-side interface change by Microsoft, local troubleshooting will not work. An administrator must open a formal service request.
The missing navigation arrows and the updated black preview toolbar are the result of rolling service-side updates in Microsoft 365. Because of this, standard troubleshooting steps such as clearing browser cache, changing web browsers, or altering local configuration settings will not resolve the problem.
To get this issue addressed, your IT department needs to engage Microsoft directly. Be sure to report any secondary issues alongside the missing arrows, such as document library filters resetting after a user closes the preview pane.
Take screenshots of the black preview toolbar without the arrows. Test and note whether applied library views or filters reset when you close the document preview.
Reach out to your organization's Microsoft 365 Administrator. Provide them with the screenshots and details of the preview bug, noting that it affects multiple users.
The administrator must log into the Microsoft 365 admin center, navigate to the Support section, and open a new service request regarding the SharePoint interface bug.
Microsoft Support will likely request HAR (HTTP Archive) logs. The IT administrator can generate these logs from the browser's developer tools while reproducing the error to assist the development team.
Manage and View Documents Locally with WPS Office
If SharePoint's online preview features are currently bugged or disrupting your workflow, consider syncing your files locally and using WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for viewing, editing, and navigating your documents without relying on web-based previews.
- 1. Sync SharePoint files locally: Use the OneDrive sync client to sync your SharePoint document libraries to your local file explorer.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office Free on your computer.
- 3. Navigate documents seamlessly: Open your synced documents directly in WPS Office for stable viewing, editing, and reliable navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I manually restore the old SharePoint document preview toolbar?
No, there is currently no user-facing setting in SharePoint to revert to the old preview toolbar. The change is part of a service-side interface update managed by Microsoft.
Why do my document library filters reset after previewing a file?
This is a known side effect related to the recent preview interface update. When your admin reports the missing arrows to Microsoft support, ensure they also mention that views and filters are resetting upon closing the preview pane.
Will clearing my browser cache fix the missing navigation arrows?
No. Because the missing next and previous arrows are caused by a service-side update rather than localized web data, clearing your browser cache, changing browsers, or altering local device configurations will not fix it.
What are HAR logs and why does Microsoft support need them?
HAR (HTTP Archive) logs record the network interaction between your web browser and the SharePoint site. Microsoft support uses these logs to identify exactly where the service-side failure is occurring during the document preview load process.
