How to Clear SharePoint Search and Return to a Document Library
Question details
The user needs to exit the search results view and navigate back to the default document library view in SharePoint.
- Product
- SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to clear active search filters to browse all files within a SharePoint document library.
- Observed behavior
- The search results page persists even after deleting the text from the search box, preventing the user from viewing the full library.
Ensure your browser tab has fully loaded and you have basic viewing permissions for the SharePoint document library.
Clear Search Text and Press Enter
The quickest way to refresh the library view is by properly executing a blank search.
Often, simply deleting the text from the search box does not automatically refresh the page. You must actively submit the empty search to reset the filter.
Click into the search bar at the top of the SharePoint document library and delete any existing text.
Press the 'Enter' key on your keyboard to submit the empty search and force the document library view to refresh.
Remove Search Parameters from the URL
If the search results are stuck, manually editing the page URL will force SharePoint to load the default library view.
Edit Your SharePoint Documents Offline with WPS Office
While SharePoint provides excellent cloud storage, editing complex documents online can sometimes be restrictive. Download WPS Office as a lightweight, free alternative to Microsoft Office to easily manage and edit your downloaded files with full format compatibility.
- 1. Download your document: Select the file in your SharePoint library and click 'Download' to save it to your computer.
- 2. Open with WPS Office: Launch WPS Office, click 'Open', and select your downloaded document.
- 3. Edit and save: Make your changes using WPS Office's intuitive tools, then save the file to seamlessly re-upload it to SharePoint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my SharePoint library get stuck on search results?
This usually happens because the search query parameters remain attached to the page URL. Even if the search box appears empty, the browser continues to load the filtered URL until it is reset or modified.
How can I quickly clear a search in SharePoint?
You can usually click the 'X' icon inside the search box, or manually delete the text and press Enter to refresh the document library view.
Does refreshing the browser page clear the SharePoint search?
Simply clicking the browser's refresh button will not clear the search if the URL still contains the search parameters (e.g., '?q=keyword'). You must remove those parameters or execute a blank search.
