Microsoft is all set to introduce the updated version of Filters pane in SharePoint to support the metadata navigation feature in modern list and libraries.
The metadata filtration in the filter’s pane was originally introduced later in 2016.
The modern lists and libraries feature of SharePoint allows the user to make desirable selections from the document or library list for faster accessibility.
The update is targeted towards improving the SharePoint user experience. Post-update, any column configured in the metadata setting will automatically reflect in the filters pane. The pane will also suggest most likely used columns through machine learning.
Originally, the filters pane for the document libraries show 3 default filters: Modified, People and Type. The user can filter the list view by selecting recently modified, edited by two or more people, or selecting the type of the document – Word or Excel. For more details refer the following help article from Microsoft.
The classic document library displays the page elements on the left-hand side of the page and are not compatible with the latest metadata approach. The new update will display the filter pane along with the metadata navigation abilities on the right side of the document library with a filter icon, which looks like a checklist that the user can edit based on his requirement.
The update also brings in the new capability to pin filters. The user can pin a column to remain in the filters pane by clicking on the options menu against any field in the pane.
Before the update, lists and libraries automatically rolled back to the classic mode on enabling the feature. But now, they will remain in the modern mode and display the metadata settings in the filters pane. The administrators have the option to remain in the classic mode before the update is rolled-out.
For SharePoint online users, updates are automatically rolled out as part of their Office 365 subscription.
Microsoft plans to roll out this update by June 12, 2017.
Stay tuned to get latest updates on the roll-out.
