Hide columns in Library based on Content Type (if folder hide, if file show)

[KaveSys]

What type of issue is this?

Question

What SharePoint development model, framework, SDK or API is this about?

💥 SharePoint Framework

Target SharePoint environment

SharePoint Online

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• 💥 FireFox
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• mobile (iOS/iPadOS)
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• other (enter in the "Additional environment details" area below)

Additional environment details

Issue description

Hello,
There is a way to show/hide a column in Document Library based on the Content Type? I want to show a column if is a file, instead hide if is a folder.

Which is the right way to do it?

[Amey-MSFT]

Hello @KaveSys,
Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention. We will look into it and get back to you shortly.

[Amey-MSFT]

Hello @KaveSys,
You can use this approach, using JSON Column Formatting with Conditional Visibility,

1. Ensure Content Types Are Enabled:

• Go to your Document Library settings → "Advanced settings" → Set "Allow management of content types" to Yes.

2. Create or Use Content Types:

• For example, default content types include Document (for files) and Folder.
• You can also create custom content types if needed.

3. Create Your Custom Column:

• Add a new column (e.g., Custom Info) to the Document Library.

4. Use Column Formatting JSON:
   You can use Column Formatting to control the visibility of the column's contents based on the Content Type.

Here's a sample JSON formatting to show a value only for files (not folders):

{
  "$schema": "https://developer.microsoft.com/json-schemas/sp/v2/column-formatting.schema.json",
  "elmType": "div",
  "style": {
    "display": "=if([$ContentType] == 'Folder', 'none', 'block')"
  },
  "children": [
    {
      "elmType": "span",
      "txtContent": "[$YourColumnInternalName]"
    }
  ]
}

Replace YourColumnInternalName with the internal name of the column.

Reference Documents:-

• Column formatting with JSON
• Use column formatting to customize SharePoint
• Show or hide columns in a list or library form

Let me know if further help is required.
Thanks!!

[KaveSys]

Hello @Amey-MSFT,
thanks for the reply.

In this way should not hide the column itself from the folder list, but hide only the content of the column values:

With files:

Only folders:

[XueSheng-GIT]

@KaveSys: If you just want to show folders, I suggest to create a separate view with filter to show folders only and with just the columns you want to see. Wouldn't that solve your issue?

[KaveSys]

@XueSheng-GIT nope. Is not the scope of my request and I'm happy to explain better if it's not clear.

[XueSheng-GIT]

@KaveSys it seems at least I didn't understand the scope of your request. Would be great if you could explain better.

[KaveSys]

@XueSheng-GIT as you can see in images above the "Document Language" column is visible in two cases:

1. When there are only folders in the list
2. When there are files and folders in the list

I just want to hide the column "Document Language" only in the first case. When there are only folders in the list.
If there is at least one file (document, image, something other), then show the column "Document Language".

[Amey-MSFT]

Hello @KaveSys,
Here is a work around you can consider,
Use two views:

• View A: For folders only (with "Document Language" hidden).

• View B: For files and folders (with "Document Language" visible).

Then: Manually or using JSON buttons, switch between views. You can also use filters:

• View A: Filter where File Type is empty → shows only folders

• View B: No filters → shows all

As, according to Microsoft's documentation on Show or hide columns in a list or library, while you can manually show or hide columns in a view, there is no built-in feature to automatically hide a column based on the presence or absence of files or folders in that view.

Let me know if further help is required.
Thanks!!