SharePoint Document Issues

How to Show and Filter SharePoint Files from All Folders in One View

Emma Brown Oct 13, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to view and filter all files within a SharePoint document library in a single flat list, ignoring folder structures.

How to Show and Filter SharePoint Files from All Folders in One View

Product: SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Applying metadata filters across an entire document library without having to manually open each individual folder.
Observed behavior: Currently, files are nested inside folders, preventing global metadata filtering across all files in the library at once.

Before you start

Ensure you have the necessary permissions to edit public views in the SharePoint document library, or prepare to create a personal view for your own use.

Solution 1Recommended

Modify Library View Settings to Hide Folders

Change the document library settings to display all files in a flat list without their containing folders.

This method changes how files are displayed in your current view. It does not move or delete any files or folders, and you can easily revert to the original folder view later.

Access Library Settings

Navigate to Site contents, click the ellipsis (...) next to your document library, and select Settings. Alternatively, in modern SharePoint, open the library, click the gear icon, and select Library settings, then choose More library settings.

Open View Settings

Under the 'Views' section at the bottom of the library settings page, click on the specific view you want to modify (for example, 'All Documents').

Modify Folder Display Settings

Scroll down the view settings page and expand the 'Folders' section by clicking on it. Select the radio button labeled 'Show all items without folders'.

Save the View

Click 'OK' at the top or bottom of the page to save your changes. Your library will now display all files in a single flat view, allowing you to easily apply metadata filters across all items.

Modify Library View Settings to Hide Folders

Restoring Folder View: To restore your original folder hierarchy, simply return to the view settings, expand the Folders section again, and select 'Show items inside folders'.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will hiding folders in the view delete my SharePoint folders?

No. Changing the view setting to 'Show all items without folders' only affects how the files are displayed on your screen. Your folders and their contents remain safely intact on the server.

Can I create a separate flat view without changing the default folder view?

Yes, you can click 'Create view' or 'Save view as' in the SharePoint library to make a new custom view. You can then apply the 'Show all items without folders' setting only to this new view, leaving the default view unchanged for other users.

Why can't I see the Library Settings option in SharePoint?

You may lack the necessary permissions to manage the list or library. Contact your SharePoint site owner or administrator to request 'Edit' or 'Design' permissions.

Does this flat view work with large SharePoint lists?

Yes, but if your library exceeds the SharePoint list view threshold (usually 5,000 items), displaying all items at once may cause errors. You should apply indexed metadata filters before selecting 'Show all items without folders' to keep the view under the threshold limit.

Document & File Issues