How to Hide Editor Names in SharePoint Site Activity
Question details
The user wants to hide the names of the individuals who last edited files displayed in the SharePoint Site Activity web part.
- Product
- SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Customizing the display of a SharePoint site page to ensure privacy or create a cleaner interface by removing user names from recent activity feeds.
- Observed behavior
- The Site Activity web part automatically displays the names of file editors, and there is no built-in configuration option to disable this specific detail.
Keep in mind that SharePoint is designed for collaborative transparency, meaning activity tracking and author attribution are deeply integrated into the platform's default web parts.
Verify Site Activity Web Part Limitations and Submit Feedback
Understand the current configuration limits of the Site Activity web part and request the feature from Microsoft.
Currently, Microsoft SharePoint does not provide a built-in toggle to hide editor names in the Site Activity web part. The tool is intentionally designed to show recent collaborative actions.
Your only configuration options are adjusting the number of items displayed. For actual feature changes, submitting a request through the official feedback portal is required.
Navigate to your SharePoint site and click 'Edit' in the top right corner of the page to enter edit mode.
Select the Site Activity web part and click the 'Edit web part' (pencil) icon to open the property pane on the right.
Notice that the only available setting is to change the number of items shown. Close the property pane as editor names cannot be toggled off.
Visit the Microsoft SharePoint feedback portal and submit a request to add a toggle for hiding user names in activity web parts.
Alternative: Replace with the Highlighted Content Web Part
If displaying editor names violates your site's visual or privacy requirements, the best workaround is to replace the Site Activity web part entirely.
Looking for a Privacy-Focused, Lightweight Office Alternative?
While SharePoint and Microsoft Office enforce strict collaboration tracking features that cannot always be customized, WPS Office offers a free, highly compatible alternative. Enjoy robust local document privacy controls and seamless editing without complex cloud tracking constraints.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and click the free download button for your operating system.
- 2. Install the software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the quick on-screen instructions to set up the suite.
- 3. Edit with privacy: Open your Microsoft Office documents locally in WPS Office to edit them without automatic cloud activity tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use custom CSS to hide editor names in SharePoint Online?
No. In modern SharePoint Online sites, custom CSS or script injection is restricted by default for security and stability reasons. You cannot easily inject code to hide elements like editor names in standard modern web parts.
Is there a way to make document edits anonymously in SharePoint?
Generally, no. SharePoint tracks all document edits and associates them with the logged-in user account to maintain an accurate version history and audit trail. Internal site members cannot edit anonymously.
Can site administrators hide the Site Activity web part from specific users?
You cannot hide a specific web part based on user permissions on a standard modern page. If a user has access to view the page, they will see the web part and the activity it displays.
