SharePoint Document Issues

How to Remove an Unexpected Prefix from a SharePoint Site Title

Maira Mehtab Oct 13, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to remove an automatically appended prefix (such as 'AC_') from a SharePoint site's display title without altering the underlying site web address.

Remove an Unexpected Prefix from a SharePoint Site Title

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Updating a SharePoint site's display name for end users.
Observed behavior: When saving a new site title, the system unexpectedly adds a prefix to the display name, and standard frontend edits do not successfully remove it.

Before you start

Ensure you have SharePoint Administrator or Global Administrator permissions, as frontend site owner settings may not be sufficient to override this behavior.

Solution 1Recommended

Update the Site Title via SharePoint Admin Center

Administrators can bypass frontend caching and provisioning glitches by modifying the site name directly through the Microsoft 365 backend.

When standard site settings fail to save correctly or enforce an automated prefix, the SharePoint Admin Center provides a direct way to force the correct display name to save at the tenant level.

Access the Admin Center

Navigate to Active Sites

On the left sidebar, expand the 'Sites' menu and click on 'Active sites'.

Select the Site

Locate and click on the specific SharePoint site that has the unexpected title prefix.

Edit Basic Info

In the site properties panel, go to the 'General' tab. Under the 'Basic Info' section, click on 'Edit'.

Save the New Title

Remove the unexpected prefix from the 'Site Name' field and click 'Save' to apply your changes.

Update the Site Title via SharePoint Admin Center

Permissions Required: Only SharePoint Administrators or Global Administrators can access the active sites list in the Admin Center.

Solution 2

Test Browser Caching and Escalate to Support

If the issue persists, clear potential browser conflicts using a private window before opening a backend support ticket.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my SharePoint site title alter the site URL?

No, updating the display name of your SharePoint site does not change the underlying web address (URL). All your existing links and document paths will remain intact and functional.

Why does an unexpected prefix get added to my site names?

Unexpected prefixes can result from automated provisioning scripts used by your IT department, specific Microsoft Teams integrations, or backend tenant caching issues within Microsoft 365.

How long does it take for a new SharePoint site title to update?

Usually, a site title change reflects immediately on the site itself. However, it may take up to 24 hours for the new name to sync across other Microsoft 365 services like Microsoft Teams and search results.

Document & File Issues