You
can choose whether a view shows the contents of the document library or
list in folders or shows all the items and files as if there were no
folders. A view that is configured to show the items without folders is
known as a flat view. By default, views will show folders and files within folders (see Figure 1).
To specify that a view
should not display folders, scroll to the Folders section in the view
creation page and expand it by using the plus sign next to the section
title. You then have the option of specifying whether the view should
display the items in folders (see Figure 2).
A
flat view displays all the items that are in the list or document
library, even if they are not in the root folder of that list or
library (see Figure 3). Essentially, this view makes it look as if there are no folders in that list or library.
Tip
A flat view can be
difficult for users who create or upload documents or list items
because the flat view does not display the folders, and the user can’t
specify in which folder a document or list item should be created. It
is recommended to create this kind of view only in addition to a view
that displays the folders.
