Navigating large SharePoint sites with multiple libraries, lists, and folders can quickly become frustrating and time-consuming. This hassle is understood by Microsoft 365, and they added a feature in SharePoint 2007, i.e. Tree View. Later, all the versions of SharePoint came with this feature, including SharePoint 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and SharePoint Online.
Now, what is Tree View in SharePoint? It is a built-in feature that displays your site contents in a simple, expandable, folder-like structure, which makes navigation faster and easier. Today, I’ll cover all the key insights related to this query. So, let’s proceed with an overview of the same!
Table of Contents
What is Tree View in SharePoint?
Tree View is a navigation option in SharePoint that displays your site’s contents in a hierarchical, folder-like structure on the left-hand side of the page. Instead of clicking through multiple pages or menus, you can quickly expand folders and move between libraries, lists, or subsites.
This view is beneficial when:
- You’re working with deep folder structures in document libraries.
- Your site contains multiple subsites or lists, and your SharePoint search not working properly.
- Need a way to navigate between different areas without having to go back to the main menu each time.
Why Use Tree View in SharePoint Sites?
Enabling Tree View improves usability for both beginners and advanced users. Users enable it in these scenarios:
- You can open folders directly without moving across multiple pages.
- It works like Windows File Explorer, so users already understand it.
- You can see how lists, libraries and folders are arranged in one place.
- It is useful when there are many documents and deep folder levels.
- You save time by finding items faster and working without distraction.
Additionally, it helps beginners learn the site structure quickly during training, thanks to its intuitive UI. Now, I’m damn sure that you have a clear understanding of what it is and the benefits of leveraging this. So, this is the perfect time to learn how to enable it, which I’ll cover next.
How to Enable Tree View in SharePoint?
Tree View can be enabled either manually via the SharePoint interface or programmatically using PowerShell. Both the solutions, I’ll explain step by step, i.e.
Method 1: Enable Tree View Manually Via UI
Enabling Tree view is the simplest task, and within five steps, you can do it. Here’s how:
- Step 1. Open the SharePoint site to enable Tree View, and click the gear icon.
- Step 2. Select Site Settings:
- For classic sites, click Site Settings.
- For modern sites, click Site Information > View all site settings.
- Step 3. Under the Look and Feel section, select Navigation Elements.
- Step 4. Check the box Enable Tree View.
- Step 5. Click OK to save. The Tree View navigation will now appear on the left-hand side of the site.
These steps will work when you need to start this feature on one site, but for multiple sites, you can opt for PowerShell, which helps in minimising manual workload also. Let’s see how!
Method 2: Enable Tree View Using PowerShell
For SharePoint Online, you can use the SharePoint Online Management Shell to enable Tree View. This approach is a bit technical and requires proper admin credentials.
Prerequisites:
- Download or update SharePoint Online Management Shell
- Connect-SPOService permissions for the target site (Site Collection Admin)
When you ensure you have the required permissions, and you know how to check the site Collection Administrator in SharePoint Online, then run these cmdlets:
#Connect to SharePoint Online Connect-SPOService -Url https://mackjohntenant-admin.sharepoint.com #Get the Site $site = Get-SPOSite https://mackjohntenant.sharepoint.com/sites/yoursite
Remember: Currently, SharePoint Online does not provide a direct PowerShell cmdlet to enable Tree View. However, for classic sites, you can use the Web.Navigation.UseShared or enable via CSOM (Client Side Object Model):
#Enable Quick Launch Tree View in SharePoint
# Load CSOM Assemblies Add-Type -Path "C:\Path\To\Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.dll" Add-Type -Path "C:\Path\To\Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.Runtime.dll"
# Connect to site $siteUrl = "https://mackjohntenant.sharepoint.com/sites/yoursite" $username = "mackjohn@mackjohntenant.onmicrosoft.com" $password = "YourPassword" $securePassword = ConvertTo-SecureString $password -AsPlainText -Force $ctx = New-Object Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.ClientContext($siteUrl) $ctx.Credentials = New-Object Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.SharePointOnlineCredentials($username, $securePassword) # Enable Tree View $web = $ctx.Web $web.CurrentNavigation.UseShared = $false $ctx.Load($web) $ctx.ExecuteQuery()
Note: PowerShell for modern SharePoint Online Tree View is limited. Manual enabling via UI is the most straightforward method.
Best Practices for Tree View in SharePoint
Still, we know the step-by-step instructions to enable Tree view, but to manage it effectively, here are a few tips for making the most of it:
- Keep the structure simple
- Limit the number of lists, libraries, and subsites
- Use clear and descriptive names
- Enable Tree View only where necessary
- Ensure proper SharePoint Online permissions
- Regularly maintain navigation by removing unused items
- Combine with Quick Launch for efficient navigation
- Test Tree View on different devices
Follow these best practices on a priority basis to get the expected results from Tree view; otherwise, things become messy, even after enabling it.
Limitations You Should Know
While Tree View in SharePoint is helpful, sometimes it’ll work properly, like:
- It doesn’t support every type of SharePoint content, so some custom apps or pages do not appear.
- On very large sites, loading the entire hierarchy can slow down page performance.
- It’s not as visually modern as Hub or Mega Menus in SharePoint Online.
- Not available in all modern site templates
- Limited customisation options
- Does not display items that users don’t have permission to access
- May behave differently on mobile devices
When Using Tree View is Recommended?
Tree View is recommended if:
- Your team is used to working with file explorers.
- You have multi-level folder structures.
- You’re managing a classic SharePoint site or a modern site that needs quick hierarchical navigation.
Author’s Verdict
What is Tree View in SharePoint? How to use it? What are the limitations of Tree View? How to manage it? All these queries I answered in this write-up. Now, I guarantee you won’t face any hassle while enabling Tree View.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Q. How do I enable SharePoint Tree View?
- Go to Site Settings.
- Select Look and Feel option > Tree View,
- Check Enable Tree View, and click OK. Refresh the site to see the changes.
Q. What is the difference between Tree View and Quick Launch in SharePoint?
Understanding the difference between Tree View and Quick Launch in SharePoint, quickly go through these points:
- Tree View shows a collapsible, folder-like hierarchy.
- Quick Launch is a flat menu with direct links to key site content.
Q. What is Tree View in SharePoint used for?
Tree View is used to display site contents in a hierarchical structure, which makes it easier to navigate document libraries, lists, and folders.