Updated Filter Pane in SharePoint Document Libraries and Lists

The SharePoint Document Libraries and Lists filter pane will update by February-March 2026, offering faster performance, expandable/collapsible sections, and displaying all filterable fields without pin/remove options. No admin action is needed; update documentation and inform support staff accordingly.

[Introduction]

We are updating the filter pane in SharePoint Document Libraries and Lists to deliver a faster, more flexible filtering experience. The core functionality remains the same—users can continue filtering by metadata fields as before—but these improvements address performance issues and incorporate customer feedback for a more intuitive interface.

Screenshot: Side-by-side comparison of filter pane before and after changes

[When this will happen:]

• Targeted Release: Rollout begins mid-February 2026 and is expected to complete by late February 2026.
• General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): Rollout begins late February 2026 and is expected to complete by mid-March 2026.

[How this affects your organization:]

Who is affected: All users of SharePoint Online Document Libraries and Lists.

[What will happen:]

The filter pane will automatically update in its existing location. Users will experience the following enhancements:

• Expand and collapse sections: Control which filter sections appear. Users can expand or collapse individual sections or collapse all sections at once to quickly scan all available filters.
• See all filterable fields: All filterable fields from library or list content will now display without limitations. Because fields are automatically shown, the ability to pin or remove filter fields has been removed.
• Enjoy better performance: Filtering interactions are faster and more responsive across all libraries. Users continue to apply filters as before, including filtering by person, date modified, content type, and any custom metadata columns.

[What you can do to prepare:]

• Update internal documentation or training materials to reflect the new expand/collapse filter pane behavior and removal of the pin/remove filter field functionality.
• Communicate these changes to helpdesk and support staff.
• No admin action or configuration change is required.

[Compliance considerations:]

No compliance considerations identified; review as appropriate for your organization.