SharePoint Document Issues

How to Set SharePoint Folders to Open in Tiles View by Default

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to configure specific folders within a SharePoint document library to open and display their contents using the Tiles view by default, rather than the standard compact list view.

Product: Microsoft SharePoint Online
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Customizing and managing default display views for folders in a SharePoint document library.
Observed behavior: The document library defaults to a compact list view, and the user wants to change this behavior so that folder contents are displayed in Tiles view automatically.

Before you start

Ensure you have at least Edit or Design permissions for the SharePoint document library so you can create, modify, and save public views.

Solution 1Recommended

Set Tiles View as the Default for the Entire Document Library

Since SharePoint Online does not natively support assigning different default views to individual folders, changing the default view at the document-library level is the standard solution.

By default, views in SharePoint apply to the entire library. If you want folders to open in a grid or tile layout, you must set the library's default view to Tiles. This will apply the Tiles view uniformly across the root library and all its subfolders.

Switch to Tiles View

Navigate to your SharePoint document library. In the top right corner of the command bar, click on the current view options menu (typically labeled 'All Documents' or 'Compact List') and select 'Tiles' from the dropdown.

Save the View

Click the view options menu again and select 'Save view as'. Enter a name for the view (or keep the existing one) and ensure the 'Make this a public view' checkbox is selected, then click 'Save'.

Set as Default

To make this the default view for everyone, go to the gear icon (Settings) > 'Library settings' > 'More library settings'. Scroll down to the Views section, click on your saved Tiles view, check the 'Make this the default view' box, and click 'OK'.

Library-Wide Application: This method changes the default display for all folders in the document library. Individual folders cannot have unique default views without utilizing custom content types or specialized web parts.

Solution 2

Use Custom Folder Content Types for Specific Views

If you strictly require different views for different folders within the same library, you can implement a workaround using custom Folder Content Types.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a unique default view for just one specific folder in SharePoint?

Out of the box, SharePoint Online does not allow setting unique default views for individual folders. Default views apply at the document library level. If you need folder-specific views, you must use workarounds like creating custom Folder Content Types or navigating via direct links to saved views.

Why is the 'Save view as' option missing in my SharePoint library?

The 'Save view as' option may not be visible if you lack sufficient permissions (such as Edit or Design) for the document library. It can also be hidden if you are viewing a system-locked default view that administrators have restricted from modification.

How do I switch back to the compact list view from tiles view?

To revert to the previous layout, click the view options menu in the top right corner of the document library command bar, select 'Compact List', and then use 'Save view as' to overwrite the current default view or create a new public default view.

Document & File Issues