SharePoint Document Issues

How to Display 'Created By' Metadata in a SharePoint Library

Phi Hung Vo Oct 10, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to make the default 'Created' and 'Created By' metadata columns visible in their current SharePoint document library view.

How to Display 'Created By' Metadata in a SharePoint Library

Product: SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Tracking document authorship and creation dates within a SharePoint environment.
Observed behavior: SharePoint automatically generates 'Created' and 'Created By' metadata for files, but these columns are often hidden from the default library view.

Before you start

Ensure you have the appropriate permissions to modify the view settings of the SharePoint document library.

Solution 1Recommended

Show Hidden Columns via Column Settings

Use the built-in column settings menu to quickly reveal default metadata columns without leaving the library interface.

SharePoint automatically tracks metadata for every uploaded or created document. By modifying your current view settings, you can easily display this information to better manage your files.

Open the SharePoint Library

Navigate to the specific SharePoint document library or list where you want to view the author metadata.

Access Column Settings

Click on any existing column heading in the document list, then select 'Column Settings' from the dropdown menu.

Choose Show/Hide Columns

In the Column Settings flyout menu, click on 'Show or hide columns' to open the view editing pane on the right side of the screen.

Select Required Metadata

Check the boxes next to 'Created' and 'Created By', then click the 'Apply' button to save the changes and update your view.

Customizing Further: You can also use the main library settings to create and display additional custom metadata columns tailored to your specific project needs.

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1. Download the Document: Select the file in your SharePoint library and download it to your local device.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the 'Created' and 'Created By' columns missing from my SharePoint library?

SharePoint automatically generates these metadata columns for tracking purposes, but they are often hidden from the default view to keep the interface clean and uncluttered. You can easily unhide them from the column settings menu.

Can I sort or filter my SharePoint documents by the 'Created By' column?

Yes. Once you have made the 'Created By' column visible in your library view, you can click its column header to sort the documents alphabetically or filter them to show only files created by specific authors.

How do I create my own custom metadata columns in SharePoint?

You can create custom columns by clicking '+ Add column' directly in the library view or by accessing the Library Settings gear icon. From there, you can choose the data type (like text, choice, or date) and configure the column properties.

Will displaying the 'Created By' column affect other users' views?

If you modify and save the public 'All Documents' view (and have the permissions to do so), it will affect all users using that view. If you save it as a personal view, the changes will only apply to your own account.

Document & File Issues