OneDrive File Issues

How to List OneDrive File Names, Dates, and Creators

Nimra Malik Oct 12, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs a way to extract and compile a comprehensive list of files from OneDrive, including specific metadata like creation dates and file creators.

How to List OneDrive File Names, Dates, and Creators

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Auditing, organizing, or backing up file directories stored in OneDrive.
Observed behavior: OneDrive does not provide a native, one-click export feature for compiling file metadata into a single document or spreadsheet.

Before you start

Ensure you are logged into your Microsoft 365 account and have access to both your OneDrive files and Power Automate. If you plan to capture data automatically, verify that your account has the necessary permissions to create new automated flows.

Solution 1Recommended

Automate Metadata Extraction with Power Automate

Create a Power Automate flow to automatically capture file names, creation dates, and creator details whenever a file is added to a specific OneDrive folder.

Because OneDrive does not offer an out-of-the-box export button for comprehensive metadata, Power Automate is the most robust solution. This method requires initial setup but automatically maintains an updated list of your files moving forward.

Open Power Automate

Log into your Microsoft 365 portal and launch the Power Automate application.

Create a New Flow

Click on 'Create' in the left-hand menu and select 'Automated cloud flow'. Give your flow a descriptive name.

Set the OneDrive Trigger

Search for the OneDrive trigger 'When a file is created' and select it. Specify the OneDrive folder you want to monitor.

Add a Data Extraction Action

Add a new step and choose an action to log the data, such as 'Add a row into a table' in Excel Online. Map the dynamic content (File Name, Created By, Creation Time) from the OneDrive trigger to the corresponding columns in your spreadsheet.

Save and Test

Save your flow and test it by uploading a new file to the designated OneDrive folder. The metadata will automatically populate in your designated file.

Automate Metadata Extraction with Power Automate

Automation Complete: Once configured, this flow will run in the background, ensuring your file list is always up to date without any manual data entry.

Solution 2

Manually Copy File Paths for a Simple List

Use the native 'Copy path' feature to quickly generate a text-based list of your OneDrive files when metadata like dates and creators are not strictly required.

Organize Data with WPS

Organize Your Exported OneDrive Data with WPS Spreadsheet

After copying your OneDrive file paths or exporting data via Power Automate, you can use WPS Spreadsheet to easily organize, filter, and extract specific file names from the raw text.

1. Launch WPS Spreadsheet: Open WPS Office and create a new blank Spreadsheet document.
2. Paste Your Data: Paste the copied OneDrive file paths or your Power Automate export into Column A.
3. Extract File Names: Highlight the column, navigate to the 'Data' tab, and select 'Text to Columns'. Use the slash or backslash delimiter to separate the folder paths from the actual file names.
4. Organize and Format: Add custom headers like 'File Name', 'Creation Date', and 'Creator', then apply filters to easily sort through your OneDrive inventory.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formats for easy data transition.Built-in 'Text to Columns' feature to effortlessly separate file paths from file names.Lightweight and fast, making it ideal for managing large directories and long file lists.Completely free to use with a highly familiar user interface.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I export a list of OneDrive files directly to Excel?

OneDrive does not have a native 'Export to Excel' button for file lists. You must either copy the file paths manually and paste them into a spreadsheet, or use Microsoft Power Automate to automatically log the data into an Excel or WPS Spreadsheet file.

Does the 'Copy path' method include creation dates and creators?

No, the 'Copy path' feature only captures the URL or local directory path of the selected files. To obtain metadata such as creation dates and creators, you must use a Power Automate flow or view the file properties individually.

How can I view the creator of a file in OneDrive?

You can view the creator (or who originally uploaded the file) by switching your OneDrive folder view to 'List' and ensuring the 'Modified By' or 'Added By' columns are visible, or by selecting a file and opening the 'Details' pane on the right side of the screen.

Is Power Automate free to use for OneDrive extraction?

Power Automate offers a standard tier that is included with most personal and business Microsoft 365 accounts. This included version is generally sufficient for creating basic automated flows to capture standard OneDrive file metadata without extra cost.

Document & File Issues