File Explorer: Understanding Folder Heirarchy

Are you using File Explorer view to work with SharePoint Folders/Files? Not sure which folder you are in?

In the File Explorer view, there is a small window near the top of the screen that shows the file path, affectionately known as the ‘breadcrumb.’ This path will help you understand what folder you are in and how you got there.

Example: Shared Network Drive (S)

In this example, the breadcrumb/file path at the top of the window shows that this person is in the Shared (S:) drive, Div1 folder, CapAble Admin folder, within which is the General Office folder, etc.

Example: Department SharePoint site Shortcut via OneDrive

In this example, the breadcrumb/file path at the top of the window shows that this person is in the Capitol Dental dept SharePoint site.  Paige created a shortcut to the Capitol Dental Dept SharePoint site documents in her OneDrive. This allows her to view SharePoint folders/files in file explorer view rather than using the SharePoint site browser view (see next example).

Example: Department SharePoint site via Browser view

In this example, the breadcrumb/file path at the top of the SharePoint browser page shows that this person is in the Capitol Dental dept SharePoint site, in the Documents library, within the CapAble Admin folder which is within the General Office folder. TIP: In this view you can click on the breadcrumbs to move between folders. Click on ‘Documents’ to return to the top-level view of folders, for example.