If you’ve created a list with SharePoint Online, you might’ve noticed that any newly created columns are automatically added in the order they’re being created. As a result, changing the column order might become necessary for sorting out the list based on your priority.
Sadly, it’s not as easy as shouting, “Hey Alexa, change the column order of list properties in my SharePoint”.
Not to worry, simply go through this write-up, as I have discussed how you can move the position that a column appears in a list or library. Enough chitchat; let’s get started.
For changing the order of columns in a SharePoint list or library, you need to follow two different methods based on whether you’re using the Modern or Classic experience.
Here are the steps to change the order of columns in the SharePoint list or library:
- Go to the SharePoint list or library where you want to change the column order.
- Click on the gears icon to open Settings and select List settings.
- Scroll down to find and select Column ordering.
- Set the position of each columns from their respective drop-down values according to your preferred order.
- Click on OK.
Keep in mind this method does not affect the column order in the list or library views. It only affects New, Edit & View Properties. To change the order of columns in the list view, navigate to your list and click on Edit from the left pane.
Now select the column heading you want to move, then drag & drop it to the preferred position.
- Open the SharePoint list or library where you want to reorder the columns.
- Click on the three-dot icon next to the All Items or All Documents option and select Modify this View.
- Choose the column position for each column’s Position from Left drop-down menu.
- After you’re done, scroll down to the bottom of the page and hit OK.
FYI, you can switch between Classic and Modern experience by clicking on the Return to classic SharePoint or Exit classic experience respectively from the bottom left corner of the screen.
If you are familiar with the SharePoint Online Management Shell, you can use this tool to change the column order in your SharePoint list or library. Simply type the following command and hit Enter:
#Set Variables
$SiteURL = "<enter your site’s URL"
$ListName = "<enter your list’s name>”
#Set Order of Fields - By its Internal Name
$FieldOrder = @("<column name>","<column name>","<column name>","<column name>","<column name>",)
#Connect to PnP Online
Connect-PnPOnline -Url $SiteURL -Interactive
#Get the default content type from list
$ContentType = Get-PnPContentType -List $ListName | Select -First 1
#Update column Order in default content type
$FieldLinks = Get-PnPProperty -ClientObject $ContentType -Property "FieldLinks"
$FieldLinks.Reorder($FieldOrder)
$ContentType.Update($False)
Invoke-PnPQueryDone. Now your SharePoint list’s columns should be re-arranged according to the order you typed in the $FieldOrder section.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the default sort order for the SharePoint list?
By default, the columns in a SharePoint list are automatically added in the order they were created.
What to do when I can’t change the column order in the SharePoint list?
If you’re unable to change the column order in the SharePoint list, go to List settings > Advanced settings. Then select the Yes option for Allow management of content types? and save the changes.
How to enable column ordering in my SharePoint list?
To enable column ordering, navigate to your desired SharePoint list and click on the Settings icon from the top left corner. Now, select List settings and scroll down to the Column section. Then click on Column ordering to customize the order of your list’s properties.
To Sum It Up:
- You can sort the column view of your SharePoint lists from both the Modern and Classic experience.
- For SharePoint Modern, open your list and go to Settings > List settings > Column ordering. Then change the column order from the drop-down values for each column.
- For SharePoint Classic, go to your list or library > click on the three-dot icon > select Modify this View > change the position of columns from Position from Left > click OK.
- In case your SharePoint list’s column order is not changing, navigate to List settings > Advanced settings and select Yes for Allow management of content types?. Then scroll down and hit OK.
