Create a folder in a document library

Creating folder in a SharePoint document library is one way to group and manage files. You can create folders from your device when syncing or from the command bar on the web.

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Create a folder in SharePoint

1. Go to the SharePoint site, and where you want to create a new folder, open the SharePoint document library.

2. On the menu bar, select + New, and then select Folder.

   If you don't have folders as an option on the + New menu, they may be turned off. A library owner or a user with design permissions can enable the Folder command. For more info, see Turn folders on in SharePoint.

   Note: Does your screen look different than this and you're using SharePoint or ? Your administrator may have SharePoint Classic experience set on the document library. If so, see Create a folder in a SharePoint Classic experience library.

3. In the Folder dialog, enter a folder name in the Folder Name box, and then select Create.

   

   Note: To change the folder name later on, select ... (ellipses), and then select Rename. Change the folder name in the Rename dialog, and then select Save. For more info, see Rename a file, folder, or link in a document library.

   When done, you should see your new folder in the document library and can start adding files or creating subfolders within it. To add a new file, see Create a new file in a document library. To upload existing files, see Upload files and folders to a document library.

   

4. If you don't see your new folder in the library, refresh your browser.

In some cases, you might consider using views instead of folders. You can filter, group, and sort files in views. If you have a large library, a combination of views and folders might work best.

Turn folders on in SharePoint or SharePoint Server 2019

Folders are on by default, but if they're off and you have permissions, follow these steps:

1. Open the library where you want to start adding folders.

2. Select Settings , and then select Library Settings.

   

3. Select Advanced settings.

4. In the Folder section, for Make "New Folder" command available,make sure that the Yes option is selected.

5. Select OK, and navigate back to your library.

Create a folder in a SharePoint Classic experience library

1. Go to the SharePoint site containing the SharePoint library where you want to add the folder.

2. Select the title of the library on the Quick Launch bar to open it, or select Settings , and select Site contents, and then select the title of the library you want to add folders to.

   Note: Designers can modify the appearance and navigation of a site significantly. If you cannot locate an option, such as a command, button, or link, contact your admin.

3. On the ribbon, select Files, and then in the New group, select New Folder.

   

   Note: If the New Folder command is not available, you can turn it back on with the proper permissions. On the Library tab of the ribbon, select Library Settings, and then select Advanced settings. In the Folder section, for Make "New Folder" command available, make sure that the Yes option is selected.

   Note: To change the folder name later on, select ... (ellipses) in the dialog, and then select Rename. Change the folder name in the Name box, and then select Save.

4. In the Create a folder dialog, enter a folder name in the Name field, and then select Create.

   

   You can optionally invite people to share the folder.

   

   For more info, see Share files or folders in Microsoft 365.

Depending on your situation, you might consider using views instead of folders, because they enable content to be filtered, grouped, and sorted in multiple ways. If you have a large library, a combination of views and folders might work best. For more info about views, see Video: Create and edit public views of a list or library.

Create a folder in SharePoint Server 2016 or SharePoint Server 2013

By default the New Folder command is turned on in SharePoint document libraries. A library owner or a user with design permissions can enable the New Folder command.

1. Go to the site containing the SharePoint document library where you want to add the folder.

2. Select the title of the library on the Quick Launch bar to open it, or select Settings , and select Site contents, and then select the title of the library you want to add folders to.

   Note: Designers can modify the appearance and navigation of a site significantly. If you cannot locate an option, such as a command, button, or link, contact your administrator.

3. On the ribbon, select the Files tab, and then in the New group, select New Folder.

   

   Notes: If the New Folder command is not available, you can turn it back on with the proper permissions.

   • On the Library tab of the ribbon, select Library Settings, and then select Advanced settings.

   • In the Folder section, for Make New Folder command available, ensure that the Yes option is selected.

   • Select OK.

4. In the New Folder dialog, enter a folder name in the Name field, and then select Save.

   You can optionally invite people to share the folder.

   

   For more info, see Share documents or folders in SharePoint Server.

5. When you're done, select Create.

Notes: 

• To change the folder name later on, select ... (ellipses), and in the dialog, select ... (ellipses), and then select Rename. In the Name field, change the folder name.

  If you don't see Rename, select Edit Properties, and change the Name field. When done, select Save.

• To quickly go to the next level up in the folder hierarchy, on the ribbon, select the Library tab, and then select Navigate Up.

Depending on your situation, you might consider using views instead of folders, because they enable content to be filtered, grouped, and sorted in multiple ways. If you have a large library, a combination of views and folders might work best. For more info about views, see Video: Create and edit public views of a list or library.

Create a folder in SharePoint Server 2010

By default, the New Folder command appears in SharePoint document libraries. A library owner or a user with design permissions for the library can enable the New Folder command.

1. Navigate to the site containing the SharePoint document library for which you want to add the folder.

2. To open the name of the library, on the Quick Launch bar, and select it. Alternatively, select Site Actions, select View All Site Content, and then in the appropriate libraries section, select the name of the library.

   Note: Designers can modify the appearance and navigation of a site significantly. If you cannot locate an option, such as a command, button, or link, contact your admin.

3. On the ribbon, in the Library Tools section, select the Documents tab, and then in the New group, select New Folder.

   

   Note: The person who created your library may have specified that folders cannot be created in the library. If this is the case, the New Folder command is not available.

4. In the New Folder dialog, in the Name field, enter a folder name, and then select OK.

   

   Note: To change the folder name later on, select the down arrow on the line with the folder, and then select Edit Properties. In the Name field, change the folder name.

Depending on your situation, you might consider using views instead of folders, because they enable content to be filtered, grouped, and sorted in multiple ways. If you have a large library, a combination of views and folders might work best. For more info, see Create, change, or delete a view.

Create a folder in SharePoint Server 2007

By default, the New Folder menu appears in SharePoint libraries. A library owner can enable the New Folder menu.

1. If the SharePoint document library isn't already open, on the Quick Launch bar, select its name.

2. On the New menu , select New Folder.

3. Enter a folder name, and select OK.

Depending on your situation, you might consider using views instead of folders, because they enable content to be filtered, grouped, and sorted in multiple ways. If you have a large library, a combination of views and folders might work best. For more info, see Create, change, or delete a view.

Which version of SharePoint are you using?

If you're not sure which version of SharePoint you have, see Which version of SharePoint am I using?.

Other topics on Folders and files

Move or copy a folder, file, or link in a document library

Delete a file, folder, or link from a SharePoint document library

Create a folder in a SharePoint list

Delete a folder from a SharePoint list

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