SharePoint Document Issues

How to Remove Document Properties from Multiple Files in SharePoint

Tauseeq Magsi Oct 8, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to know how to bulk delete or update document properties across multiple files within a SharePoint library.

Product: SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Reusing existing documents as templates in a SharePoint library, which causes old metadata like meeting dates, document types, and times to be retained across multiple files.
Observed behavior: Old document properties persist in reused files, and users may find that bulk editing these properties is blocked or unavailable if the document library view is grouped.

Before you start

Ensure you have the necessary edit permissions for the SharePoint document library and that the files you want to modify are not currently checked out by other users.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Edit in Grid View to Bulk Update Properties

This is the most efficient, built-in method to update or remove properties for multiple documents directly within SharePoint.

SharePoint provides a grid interface that functions similarly to a spreadsheet, allowing you to quickly clear or replace metadata values across dozens of files at once.

Access the document library

Navigate to the target SharePoint document library where the reused files are located.

Enable grid view

Click on 'Edit in grid view' located in the command bar at the top of the document list.

Clear the properties

Click on the property cells you wish to remove and press the Delete key to clear their contents.

Apply to multiple files

Drag the bottom-right corner of the cleared cell down through the column to apply the blank value to multiple documents simultaneously.

Save changes

Click 'Exit grid view' in the command bar to save and apply all metadata changes to your files.

Use Edit in Grid View to Bulk Update Properties

Quick Tip: You can also paste values copied from Excel directly into the grid view if you need to bulk-update properties with specific new data instead of just removing them.

Solution 2

Remove View Grouping to Enable Bulk Editing

Use this method if the 'Edit in grid view' option is missing or grayed out in your library.

Solution 3

Use a Batch Metadata Removal Tool

Use this alternative when embedded file properties cannot be managed or fully cleared through the SharePoint interface.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage Local Document Properties Seamlessly with WPS Office

While SharePoint manages cloud library metadata, locally saved files often retain embedded Microsoft Office properties. WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, allowing you to easily view, edit, or clear document properties before uploading files to your team's cloud library.

1. Open your document: Launch WPS Office and open the document you intend to upload to SharePoint.
2. Access file properties: Click on 'Menu' in the top-left corner, navigate to 'Document Info', and select 'Properties'.
3. Clear old metadata: Review the 'Summary' and 'Custom' tabs, delete any outdated personal information or tags, and click 'OK' to save your clean document.

Seamless compatibility with all Microsoft Office document formats including DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX.Built-in tools to easily inspect and modify document properties and author information.Lightweight installation with a familiar, easy-to-navigate tabbed interface.Completely free to download and use for your daily documentation needs.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do old properties persist when I reuse a SharePoint document?

When you copy or reuse an existing document as a template, SharePoint and the document editor retain the embedded metadata—such as the original author, creation date, and custom tags—until they are manually updated or cleared by the user.

Why is the 'Edit in grid view' button missing in my SharePoint library?

The 'Edit in grid view' option is automatically disabled by SharePoint if your current library view utilizes the 'Group By' feature. You must edit your library view settings to remove any column grouping before the bulk edit grid becomes available.

Can I remove all metadata from Word documents before uploading them to SharePoint?

Yes. Before uploading, you can use the built-in Document Inspector in Microsoft Word, or the Document Properties menu in alternative software like WPS Office, to scrub personal information and hidden metadata from your local files.

Document & File Issues