SharePoint Document Issues

Why Does SharePoint Change File Names During Upload and How to Fix It

Phi Hung Vo Oct 10, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users notice that files uploaded to SharePoint are being automatically renamed and need to diagnose the cause to prevent unwanted file name changes.

Why Does SharePoint Change File Names During Upload?

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Uploading files to a SharePoint document library.
Observed behavior: The file names are automatically changed immediately after being uploaded to the SharePoint library, either by adding text, changing characters, or stripping information.

Before you start

Before making configuration changes, observe whether the renaming occurs immediately after upload, happens in all libraries, and affects other users. Document the original file name, the new file name, and any active synchronization messages to help narrow down the root cause.

Solution 1Recommended

Identify Library-Specific Settings and Automated Workflows

Determine if a specific SharePoint library policy or Power Automate flow is triggering the file rename automatically upon upload.

SharePoint libraries are highly customizable. Often, automated workflows or administrative policies are put in place to enforce company-wide naming conventions. Checking these settings can quickly reveal why your files are being renamed.

Check for Power Automate Flows

Navigate to the affected SharePoint library in your web browser. Click on 'Integrate' in the top menu, then 'Power Automate', and check if there are any active flows designed to standardize or rename files.

Test a Different Library

Upload the exact same file to a completely different SharePoint site or a newly created library. If the file retains its original name, the issue is isolated to the specific settings of the first library.

Verify Organization Naming Policies

Contact your IT administrator to check if the organization has enabled strict Microsoft 365 naming policies or retention labels that automatically append dates, prefixes, or suffixes to documents.

Identify Library-Specific Settings and Automated Workflows

Administrative Access: You may need Site Owner or Site Collection Administrator permissions to view or disable background automation scripts and flows.

Solution 2

Resolve Invalid Characters and OneDrive Sync Conflicts

SharePoint may automatically replace invalid characters or rename files during sync conflicts to prevent data loss.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does SharePoint automatically change invalid characters in file names?

Yes, while newer versions of SharePoint support a wider range of characters, some legacy configurations or specific sync setups might automatically replace or strip characters like '#' or '%' to make the file name web-safe.

Why is my computer name appended to the SharePoint file name after upload?

This typically occurs due to a sync conflict in the OneDrive client. If the system detects that two users are editing a file simultaneously, or if it cannot merge changes, it creates a duplicate file and appends the computer name to prevent data loss.

Can a Power Automate flow change my file names in SharePoint without warning?

Yes. Site administrators frequently deploy Power Automate flows in document libraries to enforce document control, such as automatically adding a timestamp or user ID to the file name upon upload.

How do I stop SharePoint from renaming my uploaded files?

First, pause your OneDrive sync and upload the file directly via the web browser to rule out a sync conflict. If the file is still renamed, you will need to contact your SharePoint administrator to identify and adjust the specific library workflow or naming policy causing the issue.

Document & File Issues