How to sort and filter documents in SharePoint

As well as using the search to find particular files within a Library, you can sort and filter a Library in much the same way that you sort and filter in Microsoft Excel.

You can sort by the name in Ascending or Descending order. Every other column will have the same A-Z or Z-A sort feature but beneath that will also have a filter selection.

This is automatically populated by SharePoint dependent upon what has been entered into the columns. If there are 33 entries from the HR dept. then you will only be offered the check-box for it once in the filter list to choose from.

In the diagram above there were five items from HR, but HR is only offered once. If you only want to quickly sort and don’t want to be offered the Filter options as well, click on the column name rather than the pull-down by the side of it.