How to Find SharePoint Online Key Filters in Modern View
Question details
The user is trying to find and use Key Filters in a SharePoint Online document library after migrating from SharePoint 2013, but the feature is missing in the modern experience.
- Product
- SharePoint Online
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Filtering documents in a SharePoint Online document library post-migration.
- Observed behavior
- Key Filters are visible in the classic view but are missing or unavailable in the modern view experience.
Before troubleshooting, verify if your SharePoint document library is currently set to the modern experience or the classic experience, as UI features and navigation differ significantly between the two.
Switch to Classic View to Use Key Filters
Since Key Filters are a legacy feature associated with older SharePoint versions, you must switch your document library back to the classic experience to access them.
Key Filters are deeply integrated into the classic SharePoint architecture. Microsoft has not ported this specific feature to the modern experience, so returning to classic view is the only direct way to use your configured Key Filters.
Open your SharePoint Online site and go to the specific document library where your Key Filters were previously configured.
Scroll down and look at the bottom-left corner of the library page for a link that says 'Return to classic SharePoint'.
Click the 'Return to classic SharePoint' link. The page will reload in the classic interface, and your Key Filters will now be visible on the left navigation pane.
Use the Modern Filters Pane as an Alternative
Instead of relying on legacy Key Filters, utilize the built-in filters pane designed specifically for the modern SharePoint experience.
Edit Downloaded SharePoint Documents with WPS Office
While managing document libraries in SharePoint, you often need a reliable office suite to open, review, and edit the downloaded files. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, ensuring your workflow remains seamless.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your PC or Mac.
- 2. Open SharePoint Documents: Download your target documents from SharePoint and open them directly in WPS Office.
- 3. Edit and Save: Edit your documents with full formatting compatibility and save them back to your SharePoint synced folder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Key Filters ever be added to the SharePoint modern view?
Microsoft has deprecated Key Filters in favor of the modern Filters pane. It is highly unlikely that the legacy Key Filters feature will be ported to the modern SharePoint experience.
How can I make classic view the default for my document library?
Go to the Library Settings, click on 'Advanced settings', scroll down to the 'List experience' section, and select 'Classic experience'. Click OK to save the changes.
Can I use metadata navigation in the modern SharePoint view?
While classic metadata navigation and Key Filters are not available, you can use the modern Filters pane and configure column filters to sort and filter documents by managed metadata.
Why did my Key Filters disappear after migrating from SharePoint 2013?
SharePoint Online defaults to the modern experience for document libraries. Since Key Filters are a classic-only feature, they remain hidden until you manually revert the document library to the classic view.
