OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix Cannot Sort Shared Files by Name in OneDrive

Phi Hung Vo Oct 16, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to sort files by name in the 'Shared with you' section of OneDrive.

How to Fix 'Cannot Sort Shared Files by Name' in OneDrive

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Organizing a large number of shared files in the OneDrive web interface.
Observed behavior: Files in the 'Shared with you' section appear locked to date sorting, and the name sorting options found in 'My Files' are missing.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged into the correct Microsoft account on your web browser before attempting to modify your OneDrive view settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Switch to OneDrive Classic View

Use the classic OneDrive experience as a temporary workaround to regain file sorting functionality for shared files.

Microsoft updates occasionally alter interface capabilities in the modern view. Switching back to the classic OneDrive interface allows you to bypass these new restrictions and sort your shared files alphabetically.

Access OneDrive Web

Return to Classic View

Look for the 'Return to classic OneDrive' link located at the bottom left corner of the screen and click it.

Sort Shared Files

Navigate to your shared files section and click the 'Name' column header to sort the files alphabetically.

Sharing Limitations: While the classic view allows you to sort by name, you may temporarily lose the ability to share files with coworkers directly from this view. You will need to switch back to the modern view to manage sharing permissions.

Solution 2

Report the Issue via OneDrive Feedback

Since this is a known interface limitation in the updated OneDrive, submitting feedback helps prioritize a permanent fix from Microsoft.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can I sort files in 'My Files' but not in 'Shared with you'?

Microsoft recently updated the OneDrive interface, hard-coding the 'Shared with you' section to sort by date. The advanced sorting options available in 'My Files' were removed for shared files in this update.

Will clearing my browser cache fix the OneDrive sorting issue?

No, clearing your browser cache or using a different web browser will not resolve this issue, as it is a systemic change in the OneDrive web interface rather than a local caching error.

Can I share files with coworkers while using the OneDrive classic view?

Sharing features are often limited or unsupported in the classic view. You may need to switch back to the modern view to successfully share files or manage advanced permissions.

Document & File Issues