SharePoint Document Issues

How to Preserve the Original File Upload Date in SharePoint

Bushra Parveen Oct 12, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to maintain a permanent record of when a file was initially uploaded to SharePoint, as renaming or editing the file automatically updates the default Modified date.

How to Preserve the Original File Upload Date in SharePoint

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing documents in a SharePoint library where accurate initial upload timestamps must be preserved for tracking, auditing, or compliance purposes.
Observed behavior: The built-in SharePoint Modified column changes its timestamp whenever a file is renamed or edited, causing the original upload date to be lost.

Before you start

Ensure you have Site Owner or Full Control permissions for the SharePoint site to create custom columns, and verify that you have access to Microsoft Power Automate to build cloud flows.

Solution 1Recommended

Use a Custom Column and Power Automate Flow

By creating a dedicated custom column and populating it via a Power Automate flow upon file creation, you can capture the exact upload timestamp and keep it permanently unchanged regardless of future file edits or renames.

Because SharePoint's default 'Modified' column is designed to update with any file change (including renaming), it cannot be locked. The most reliable workaround is to automate the capture of the creation date into a separate, static column.

Create a Custom Column

Navigate to your SharePoint document library. Click on 'Add column' at the far right of the column headers, choose 'Date and time', name it 'Original Upload Date', and click Save.

Launch Power Automate

From the command bar in your document library, click on 'Integrate', hover over 'Power Automate', and select 'Create a flow'. Scroll down and select 'Create a custom flow' to open the Power Automate interface.

Set the trigger

In Power Automate, search for and add the SharePoint trigger 'When a file is created (properties only)'. Select your specific Site Address and Library Name from the dropdown menus.

Update file properties

Click 'New step' and add the 'Update file properties' SharePoint action. Select the same Site Address and Library Name. Click the 'Id' field and select 'Item_id' from the dynamic content menu. In the 'Original Upload Date' field, insert the 'Created' dynamic content.

Save and test the flow

Click 'Save' at the top right to activate your flow. Upload a new test document to the SharePoint library. Refresh the page to verify that the 'Original Upload Date' column is automatically populated and remains identical even if you rename the file.

Use a Custom Column and Power Automate Flow

Impact on Existing Files: This Power Automate flow will only trigger for new files uploaded after the flow is turned on. Existing files in the library will not automatically have this column populated.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage and Edit Your Documents Easily with WPS Office

While managing complex metadata in SharePoint often requires building automated flows, standard document editing shouldn't be complicated. WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, offering an intuitive interface for all your document, spreadsheet, and presentation needs.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website, download the free installer, and follow the on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your device.
2. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Microsoft Office files seamlessly without worrying about formatting loss.
3. Edit and Save: Make your changes using the intuitive toolbars, then save the document locally or to your preferred cloud storage.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Lightweight application that uses minimal system resources and installs quickly.Free to use for essential document creation, editing, and local file management.Familiar tabbed user interface, ensuring a seamless migration from Microsoft Office.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stop the SharePoint Modified date from changing when renaming a file?

No, the built-in 'Modified' column in SharePoint is hardcoded to update whenever a file's properties or contents change, which includes altering the file name.

Does the default 'Created' column show the original upload date?

Yes, the 'Created' column generally reflects when a file was first added to the SharePoint library. However, if files are migrated from another system or copied over, the 'Created' date might reflect the migration timestamp rather than the true original creation date.

How do I find the original modified date if a file has already been renamed?

If version history is enabled on your SharePoint document library, you can click the ellipsis (...) next to the file, select 'Version history', and view the metadata timestamps of the file before the rename occurred.

Will running a Power Automate flow for every upload affect my SharePoint site's performance?

No, a simple automated cloud flow triggered on file creation uses minimal Microsoft 365 resources and runs asynchronously in the background, ensuring no negative impact on user experience or site performance.

Document & File Issues