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How to Add a Modified By Column in OneDrive or SharePoint
Question details
The user wants to view or add a 'Modified By' column to track who last edited files in OneDrive or SharePoint.
- Product
- OneDrive and SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Collaborating on shared documents and needing to quickly identify which user made the most recent changes to a specific file.
- Observed behavior
- The 'Modified By' column is unavailable and cannot be added in the OneDrive desktop client, unlike the web interface where it is natively visible.
Ensure you have a stable internet connection and access to a web browser, as checking file modifiers requires logging into the web versions of Microsoft's services.
Use OneDrive for the Web to View File Modifiers
Since the OneDrive desktop client does not support adding this column, using the web version is the quickest way to see who modified your files.
The local operating system's file explorer (Windows File Explorer or Mac Finder) lacks native support for syncing Microsoft's specific cloud metadata columns. Therefore, the most reliable method is to view the directory online.
Right-click the OneDrive icon in your system tray or menu bar and select 'View online', or manually navigate to the OneDrive website and sign in.
Click on 'My files' or select 'Shared' from the left sidebar to locate the documents you are collaborating on.
Look at the default details view. The 'Modified By' column is automatically displayed in the web interface for shared files.
Add or Edit the Column in SharePoint
If you are using SharePoint document libraries, you have advanced customization options to show, hide, or create custom columns including 'Modified By'.
Experience Seamless Document Collaboration with WPS Office
If you are frustrated by the limitations of Microsoft's desktop sync clients, consider switching to WPS Office. It offers a lightweight, fully compatible alternative with its own built-in WPS Cloud ecosystem, making it incredibly easy to track document history and collaborate without advanced IT configurations.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your computer.
- 3. Enable Cloud Collaboration: Sign in to your free WPS account within the software to instantly unlock cloud synchronization, file sharing, and version tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Modified By column missing in my desktop File Explorer?
Local file explorers like Windows Explorer or Mac Finder only display native OS metadata (like Date Modified or File Size). They do not natively sync or display custom cloud metadata like the 'Modified By' user information from Microsoft servers.
Can I force the OneDrive desktop app to show who edited a file?
No, there is currently no built-in setting or registry hack to add a 'Modified By' column directly into the local desktop view of OneDrive. You must use the web interface.
Where can I request automation or custom scripts for OneDrive?
For advanced customization, automation, or enterprise-level management queries, it is recommended to ask in the OneDrive management section of Microsoft Q&A.
