Fix SharePoint Highlighted Content Showing Wrong PDF Modified Date
Question details
Fix the issue where the SharePoint Highlighted Content web part displays incorrect modified dates for PDFs.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Sorting and displaying PDF documents in a SharePoint site using the Highlighted Content web part.
- Observed behavior
- The web part displays the PDF file's internal metadata date instead of the Modified date stored in the SharePoint document library, which breaks sorting by Modified date.
Ensure you have Microsoft 365 administrator privileges, as resolving this specific backend behavior requires opening a support ticket through the Microsoft 365 admin center.
Open a Support Ticket in Microsoft 365 Admin Center
Use this solution to officially report the backend metadata extraction issue to Microsoft, as it cannot be fixed via standard SharePoint UI settings.
The Highlighted Content web part is currently designed in a way that sometimes pulls the internal metadata date of a PDF rather than the document library's modified date. Because this is a backend processing behavior without a direct toggle in the settings, it requires investigation by Microsoft's development team.
Navigate to the Microsoft 365 admin center (admin.microsoft.com) and log in using an account with administrator permissions.
On the left navigation pane, click on 'Support' and then select 'Help & support' from the dropdown menu.
Type a brief description of the issue (e.g., 'Highlighted Content web part shows wrong PDF modified date') and follow the prompts to open a ticket with the Microsoft support team.
Manage Your PDF Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office
While you wait for Microsoft to resolve SharePoint web part bugs, use WPS Office to manage and edit your PDF documents and their metadata. WPS Office is a fast, lightweight, and comprehensive productivity suite that serves as a perfect alternative.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Launch WPS Office, click 'Open', and select your PDF file to view its contents and check its internal metadata properties.
- 3. Edit Document Properties: Access the document properties menu to manage internal metadata, ensuring your files are accurately tagged before uploading them to SharePoint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does SharePoint show the wrong modified date for PDFs?
SharePoint's Highlighted Content web part sometimes extracts the internal metadata date embedded within the PDF file itself instead of using the system Modified date generated by the SharePoint document library.
Can I fix this PDF sorting issue without admin rights?
No. Since this behavior requires a backend fix from Microsoft, a support ticket must be raised through the Microsoft 365 admin center, which requires administrator privileges.
How can I check the internal metadata date of a PDF?
You can open the PDF in software like WPS Office or Adobe Acrobat, navigate to the document's 'Properties' or 'Metadata' section, and view the creation and modification dates stored inside the file.
