How to Set SharePoint Filter Tree View as Default
Question details
Users want to configure the hierarchical Tree View as the default display mode in the modern SharePoint filter panel for an image library.
- Product
- SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Filtering and managing files in a SharePoint image bank using hierarchical metadata tags.
- Observed behavior
- Coworkers must manually select Tree View every time they open the filter panel, as there is no visible setting to make it the default layout.
Verify whether your SharePoint library is using the modern or classic experience, and consult your IT administrator to check if you have permissions to deploy custom solutions.
Acknowledge Native Limitations and Use Custom Development
Since modern SharePoint lacks a native UI setting to force Tree View as the default filter, achieving this requires implementing a custom solution.
In the modern SharePoint experience, the Filter By panel defaults to a flat list for metadata. While Tree View is accessible, Microsoft currently does not provide an out-of-the-box setting to lock it as the permanent default. To streamline this for your coworkers, custom development is necessary.
Reach out to your organization's IT department or a dedicated SharePoint developer. They can utilize the SharePoint Framework (SPFx) to build a custom filter web part that defaults to a hierarchical tree view.
Check the Microsoft AppSource or SharePoint Store for ready-made third-party metadata navigation web parts that fully support default tree view configurations in modern libraries.
Open the Microsoft Feedback Portal and submit a feature request to add a default view toggle for the modern filter panel, which may be included in future SharePoint updates.
Switch Library to Classic Experience (Workaround)
If a default hierarchical tree view is strictly required immediately, you can temporarily revert the specific document library to the classic SharePoint experience.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tree View natively supported in the SharePoint modern experience?
Yes, Tree View is available within the filter panel of the modern experience. However, it currently requires manual selection by the user each time the filter pane is opened, as there is no native setting to make it the default.
Can I force the SharePoint filter panel to stay open automatically?
By default, the modern SharePoint filter panel does not stay open across sessions or page reloads. Users must click the Filter icon to access it each time they visit the library.
Are there third-party tools for hierarchical filtering in SharePoint?
Yes, there are several custom SPFx solutions and third-party web parts available in the SharePoint Store that offer advanced hierarchical tree filtering with customizable default behaviors.
