SharePoint Document Issues

How to Move SharePoint List Items from a Folder to the Root

Jason Miller Oct 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users need a method to move SharePoint list items out of existing folders and place them back at the root level of the list.

How to Move SharePoint List Items from a Folder to the Root

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Reorganizing list data by removing folder structures and placing all list items at the main list hierarchy.
Observed behavior: Unlike files in a document library, SharePoint list items stored inside folders cannot be directly dragged or moved to the list root using native options.

Before you start

Verify your permission level in the SharePoint list. You will need at least 'Edit' permissions to create new items, modify list views, or execute Power Automate flows.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Custom Views to Display Items Without Folders

Since direct moving isn't supported, creating a flat view hides all folders and displays items as if they were at the root.

This is the most common and safest workaround. It does not actually move the underlying data but changes how you interact with it, effectively flattening your list without data loss.

Access list views

Navigate to your SharePoint list. Click on the view dropdown menu (usually displaying 'All Items' in the top right corner) and select 'Edit current view' or 'Create new view'.

Expand folder settings

Scroll down the view settings page until you locate the 'Folders' section. Click the plus icon (+) to expand these settings.

Enable flat view

Select the radio button for 'Show all items without folders'.

Save the view

Click 'OK' at the top or bottom of the page to save. Your list will now display all items together, ignoring their folder locations.

Use Custom Views to Display Items Without Folders

Visual Reorganization: This method instantly gives you a root-level experience for sorting and filtering without risking any data deletion or duplication.

Solution 2

Use Power Automate to Move List Items

Create an automated flow to duplicate items at the root level and delete the original items in the folder.

Solution 3

Manually Recreate Root-Level Items

For a very small number of items, manually copying the data into new root-level items is a fast and direct approach.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I just drag and drop SharePoint list items to the root?

Unlike document libraries which handle physical files, SharePoint lists handle database records. The underlying architecture treats folders and list items differently, preventing standard drag-and-drop movement across folder boundaries.

Will exporting the list to Excel help me move items?

Exporting to Excel allows you to easily view and extract the data without folders. However, you cannot directly import that updated Excel file back into the same list to overwrite the folder structures; you would have to create an entirely new list.

Is there a native 'Move to' button for list items in SharePoint?

No, Microsoft has not provided a native 'Move to' or 'Copy to' button for SharePoint list items stored in folders. You must rely on custom views, manual recreation, or Power Automate flows.

Document & File Issues