SharePoint Document Issues

How to Set a Default Color for New SharePoint Folders

Rana Garcia Oct 10, 2026 870 views

Question details

Users want to automatically assign a custom default color to all newly created folders instead of using the standard folder color.

How to Set a Default Color for New SharePoint Folders

Product: SharePoint Online
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating new folders in a SharePoint document library and wanting them to automatically inherit a specific custom color for organizational purposes.
Observed behavior: SharePoint applies a standard default color to all newly created folders, and there is currently no built-in setting to automatically change this default color for new folders.

Before you start

Ensure you have the necessary edit permissions in the target SharePoint document library to create folders and modify their properties.

Solution 1Recommended

Manually Change the Color of New SharePoint Folders

Since SharePoint does not support an automatic default color setting, you must manually assign colors to folders after creating them.

Currently, SharePoint Online does not provide a built-in feature to automatically apply a custom default color to all newly created folders. To achieve a color-coded document library, you need to manually change the color of each folder immediately after creation.

Navigate to the Document Library

Open your SharePoint Online site and navigate to the document library where you want to add the folders.

Create a New Folder

Click on the 'New' button in the top command bar and select 'Folder' from the dropdown menu, then give your folder a name.

Access Folder Color Settings

Right-click the newly created folder in the library view, or click the three dots (More actions) next to the folder name, and select 'Folder color'.

Apply a Custom Color

Choose your preferred custom color from the available color palette to apply it to the folder.

Manually Change the Color of New SharePoint Folders

Submit a Feature Request: If you need an automated default folder color feature, Microsoft recommends submitting this request through the official SharePoint feedback portal.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Power Automate to set default colors for new SharePoint folders?

Currently, standard Power Automate connectors do not directly expose the folder color property in SharePoint. Automating folder colors would require complex API workarounds, making the manual method the most practical approach for most users.

Are manual folder color changes visible to everyone in the library?

Yes. When you change a folder's color in a shared SharePoint document library, the new custom color becomes visible to all users who have access to that library.

Why don't I see the 'Folder color' option in my library?

The 'Folder color' option is a modern SharePoint Online feature. If you are using an older on-premises version of SharePoint Server or if you do not have adequate edit permissions, the color customization option will not appear.

Document & File Issues