4 ways to tag folders with metadata in SharePoint

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What is the problem with folder metadata?

If your document library has custom metadata columns and you try and tag the file – you get a document information panel where you can assign metadata to the file.

But, as mentioned above, there are a few cool workarounds that will help you tag folders with metadata in SharePoint, each with pros and cons, so here are your options.

Option 1: Quick Edit

While you can’t tag folders with metadata in SharePoint via a Document Information Panel I mentioned above, you can easily do so via Quick Edit function.

Navigate to the document library where you have folders and custom metadata

In the ribbon above the library, click Quick Edit

Related to the above, you could have one metadata value at the folder level and completely different metadata at the file level – this might lead to confusion.

Option 2: Custom Content Type

Another way to “tag” folders with metadata is to create a custom content type based on folders. So instead of the “regular” folder, you will be tagging a new custom content type we will create. Here is how to do this:

Gear Icon > Site Information

Click OK at the bottom of the page

Honey, we are almost there, hang on with me for another minute

Next, under Content Types section (this is the section that appeared once we allowed content types in Step 11), click on Add from existing site content types

Allows you to “tag” folders with metadata

Allows user to filter folders with metadata, just like files

A bit of elaborate setup. Almost redundant if you opt for Document Sets (Option 4) below.

You have to create all new folders via this custom content type ( New drop-down button). If the user drags (uploads) a folder from the desktop to SharePoint – it will be a “regular” folder that cannot be tagged. However, the user will be able to re-associate a “regular” folder and make it a custom content type folder in the Document Information Panel.

Just like with Option 1, folder metadata does not propagate to the files underneath, and as a result, you can also end up with different metadata values at the folder level and the file level underneath.

Option 3: Column Default Value Settings

Technically speaking, this trick does not allow the user to assign metadata to folders themselves. But it does allow us to specify which metadata will be assigned to the files dropped into the folders. The technique I am talking about is called Column Default Value Settings . I documented step-by-step instructions on it in this post .

Technically, not folder-level metadata – but close to the concept

All the numerous cons I listed in the original post on this technique

Option 4: Document Sets

The only correct way to assign metadata to folders is to use document sets . Just like the trick above, you will be creating a custom content type, but it is a unique content type that exists in SharePoint and a pretty darn good one! In one of my earlier posts, I called Document Sets – the hidden gem of SharePoint . And there is a reason for this. Not only you will be able to assign metadata to folders, but you will also be able to propagate this metadata to the files underneath (which makes total sense).

I described in greater detail how to set up Document Sets in this post .

About Me

I’m Greg Zelfond, a U.S. based SharePoint consultant, and I provide affordable out-of-the-box SharePoint consulting, training, and configuration assistance to small and medium-sized businesses all over the world.
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I’m Gregory Zelfond, the SharePoint Maven.

As a SharePoint Consultant for more than 10 years, I have helped countless businesses and nonprofits to use SharePoint to facilitate team collaboration, simplify project management, and streamline document management. From creating simple but intuitive intranet portals to developing project management team sites and document management systems, I develop SharePoint solutions that help you get things done quickly and accurately.
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