How to Show Picture Files in SharePoint Global Search Suggestions
Question details
Users want picture files from a SharePoint picture library to appear as suggestions in the global search box on the site homepage.
- Product
- SharePoint Online
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Searching for images using the global Microsoft Search box at the top center of a SharePoint homepage.
- Observed behavior
- Global Microsoft Search suggestions display documents and pages but fail to show images from a picture library, unlike the library-specific search box.
Ensure you have Site Administrator permissions in SharePoint Online to create custom pages, configure Search web parts, and execute PowerShell scripts if necessary.
Create a Dedicated Custom Search Page
Since the default Microsoft Search box does not support image suggestions natively, setting up a custom search page using the modern Search web part is the recommended workaround.
By routing users to a dedicated modern search page, you can configure precise query rules targeting your picture library and bypass the limitations of the global search bar.
Navigate to your SharePoint site homepage, click on 'New' in the top menu, and select 'Page' to create a blank modern page for your custom search.
Edit the newly created page, click the '+' icon to add a web part, and select the modern 'Search' web part from the available options.
In the web part properties pane, set the search source to your picture library. Use a precise query format such as '{searchTerms} Path:https://contoso.sharepoint.com/sites/sitename' to restrict results.
Toggle on custom query suggestions in the web part settings and publish the page. Note that it may take some time for query suggestions to populate.
Hide the Default Global Search Box
To prevent user confusion, you can hide the default top search box and direct users to use your new custom picture search page.
Enhance Your Daily Document Workflow with WPS Office
While configuring advanced SharePoint search behaviors requires administrative workarounds, creating and managing your daily office documents should be straightforward. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office for your word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation needs.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package tailored to your operating system.
- 2. Install and launch: Run the installer and launch WPS Office. The suite sets up in seconds and requires minimal system resources.
- 3. Open existing documents: Easily open your existing Microsoft Office files (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx) directly in WPS Office without losing any formatting or data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the search box inside the picture library show image suggestions, but the homepage search box doesn't?
The homepage utilizes the modern Microsoft Search experience managed via the Microsoft 365 admin center, which currently does not support picture file suggestions. In contrast, the library search box relies on a classic search web part experience that natively indexes and suggests images.
Can I add thumbnail previews to the default global Microsoft Search box?
No, it is not currently possible to add image or thumbnail previews directly to the default global Microsoft Search box located at the top of a SharePoint Online site.
How long does it take for custom query suggestions to appear on my new search page?
After configuring custom query suggestions on a modern search page, the Microsoft indexing system requires time to process the changes. It can take up to one full week for the suggestions to properly propagate and appear for all users.
