SharePoint Document Issues

How to Prevent Required SharePoint Metadata from Applying to Folders

Emma Brown Oct 16, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users need to stop mandatory metadata requirements from being enforced on folders within SharePoint document libraries, particularly in libraries generated from specific templates.

How to Prevent Required SharePoint Metadata from Applying to Folders

Product: SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing a SharePoint document library created from a custom template where metadata rules are unintentionally enforced on folders instead of just documents.
Observed behavior: Folders are unexpectedly inheriting required metadata fields from the library or template settings, prompting users to fill out metadata when creating or modifying folders.

Before you start

Ensure you have Site Owner or Full Control permissions for the affected SharePoint document library, as modifying content types and column settings requires administrative access.

Solution 1Recommended

Review Library Content Types and Column Settings

Compare the affected library's settings with a default library to identify and disable metadata enforcement specifically on the folder content type.

SharePoint applies metadata requirements based on library settings or content types. If a custom template configures the library to apply required columns universally, folders will inherit these requirements. Adjusting the Folder content type settings can resolve this.

Access Library Settings

Navigate to the affected SharePoint document library, click the gear icon in the top right corner, and select 'Library settings'.

Open Advanced Settings

Click on 'More library settings' to view the comprehensive configuration page for the document library.

Enable Content Type Management

Go to 'Advanced settings' and ensure 'Allow management of content types?' is set to 'Yes'. Click OK to save.

Modify Folder Content Type

Back on the Library Settings page, scroll down to the 'Content Types' section and click on 'Folder'. Select the required metadata column and change its setting to 'Hidden' or 'Optional'.

Review Library Content Types and Column Settings

Compare with Default Libraries: If you are unsure which setting is causing the issue, open the settings of a standard, working document library in a separate tab and compare the column and content type configurations side-by-side.

Solution 2

Escalate to Your Microsoft 365 Administrator

If the issue stems from a locked custom template that cannot be edited via standard site settings, escalate the issue for backend investigation.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Boost Your Team's Productivity with WPS Office

While troubleshooting complex SharePoint metadata and library settings, your team still needs a reliable suite for creating and editing documents. WPS Office is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office that easily handles your daily workload.

1. Download and Install: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and install it on your device.
2. Sync SharePoint Library: Use OneDrive to sync your SharePoint document library directly to your local computer.
3. Edit Seamlessly: Open the synced Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files directly in WPS Office to edit without formatting loss.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx) for seamless SharePoint integration.Lightweight architecture ensures fast launch times and smooth document editing.Familiar user interface requires zero learning curve for users switching from Microsoft Office.Built-in PDF editing tools improve overall document management and sharing.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is SharePoint asking for metadata when I create a new folder?

This usually happens when a column in the document library is set to 'Required' and is applied universally to all content types, including the 'Folder' content type. It can also occur if the library was generated from a template that enforces this rule.

How do I hide custom metadata columns from folders in SharePoint?

You must enable 'Allow management of content types' in your Library's Advanced Settings. Once enabled, you can click on the 'Folder' content type, select the specific custom column, and change its column setting to 'Hidden'.

Can I change a library template after the SharePoint library has been created?

You cannot directly swap or detach the underlying template of an existing document library. However, you can manually adjust the library's column settings, views, and content types to overwrite or remove unwanted metadata requirements inherited from the template.

Document & File Issues