What Does 'Locations' Mean in a OneDrive or SharePoint Library?
Question details
The user needs to understand why the OneDrive or SharePoint information pane displays a 'Locations' section featuring a coworker's files or name, and how to resolve the confusion it causes.
- Product
- SharePoint and OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Viewing document or folder properties in the OneDrive or SharePoint information pane.
- Observed behavior
- The information pane incorrectly displays a 'Locations' section showing a coworker's files or name, creating the false impression that the library is connected to that person's personal OneDrive.
Before attempting to change library configurations, ensure you have Site Owner or Administrator permissions for the affected SharePoint or OneDrive library to access the necessary settings.
Identify and Remove Custom Location Columns
This display issue is often caused by an unnecessary custom Location-type column created at the library level. Removing it clears the incorrect metadata.
SharePoint allows users to create custom columns, including 'Location' types, to organize data. When these are misconfigured or no longer needed, they can cause unexpected metadata—such as a coworker's name or recent activity—to display in the information pane.
Navigate to the affected SharePoint or OneDrive library. Click the Settings (gear) icon in the top right corner and select 'Library settings', then click 'More library settings'.
Scroll down the settings page to the 'Columns' section. Look for any custom column named 'Location' or one that is defined as a Location data type.
Click on the column name to open its properties. Scroll to the very bottom of the page and click the 'Delete' button to remove the unnecessary column.
Return to the document library. Create a new folder, move your files from the affected folder into the new one, and then delete the old empty folder to clear cached data.
Contact Microsoft 365 Administrator
If the Locations column is not visible in your settings, the configuration might be managed at the tenant level, requiring administrative intervention.
Manage Your Documents Effectively with WPS Office
While resolving SharePoint library configuration issues, consider using WPS Office for your daily document processing. It is a robust, free alternative to Microsoft Office that provides a familiar interface and excellent compatibility without complex metadata configurations.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process in minutes.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and open your existing documents, spreadsheets, or presentations to start working immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my personal OneDrive incorrectly linked to my coworker's account?
No. The appearance of a coworker's name in the Locations pane is typically a metadata display error caused by a custom SharePoint column, not a security breach or a merging of personal accounts.
Why can I not find the 'Locations' column in my folder details?
The Locations column is usually applied at the library level rather than the individual folder level. You must navigate to 'Library settings' rather than checking folder properties to find and remove it.
Do I need to permanently delete my files to fix this issue?
No. You only need to move your files into a newly created folder and then delete the old, empty folder. This forces the system to refresh the folder's metadata properties.
