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How to Switch SharePoint Lists to Classic View or Restore Old Layout
Question details
The user wants to revert to an older SharePoint list-view layout where one view is displayed with other views available underneath it, because the modern layout is missing the 'New View' option from all views.
- Product
- SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Navigating SharePoint list views and attempting to revert to a specific older layout because recent UI changes removed familiar view creation options.
- Observed behavior
- The SharePoint list displays the newer modern layout by default. The specific older view arrangement is no longer present, and the 'New View' option is missing from the interface.
Ensure you have the appropriate Site Owner or List Administrator permissions in SharePoint to access and modify the advanced list settings.
Switch to Classic Experience via List Settings
Use this method to completely revert your specific SharePoint list back to the classic experience, which may restore your preferred view layout.
SharePoint allows administrators to toggle individual lists between the modern and classic experiences. If a recent update has hidden the view options you rely on, forcing the classic experience is the most direct workaround.
Navigate to your SharePoint list and click on the 'Settings' gear icon located in the top right corner of the screen.
From the dropdown menu, select 'List settings' to open the configuration page for your current list.
Under the General Settings column, click on 'Advanced settings'.
Scroll down to the 'List experience' section, select the 'Classic experience' radio button, and click 'OK' at the bottom of the page to save your changes.
Address Backend Design Changes via Support
If you only want the specific list-view arrangement without reverting the entire list to the classic experience, the issue may be due to a permanent Microsoft UI update.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my SharePoint list layout change automatically?
Microsoft frequently rolls out backend design updates to the modern SharePoint Online experience. If your list view suddenly changed, it is likely due to a recent automatic update modifying the default modern interface.
Why is the 'New View' option missing from my SharePoint list?
This can occur due to modern UI updates or changes in your list permissions. Reverting to the classic experience via the Advanced Settings menu can often restore access to these legacy view creation controls.
Does switching to the classic experience affect other users?
Yes, changing the 'List experience' setting in the Advanced settings will apply the classic view layout to all users who access that specific SharePoint list.
How do I switch my list back to the modern SharePoint view?
Navigate to Settings > List settings > Advanced settings, scroll down to the 'List experience' section, and select either 'New experience' or 'Default experience for the site', then click OK.
