Create an alert to get notified when a file or folder changes in SharePoint (2024)

Documents & Library

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Set up a library to require check out of files
Enable and configure versioning for a list or library
Top questions about check out, check in, and versions
How does versioning work in a list or library?
Restore a previous version of an item or file in SharePoint
Delete a previous version of an item or file in SharePoint

Automate workflow

Create a flow for a list or library
Set a reminder flow
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Manage

What is a document library?
Create a document library in SharePoint
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Require approval of items in a site list or library

Content types

Add a content type to a list or library
Create or customize a site content type
Create content organizer rules to route documents

Notifications

Create a rule to automate a task in a library
Create an alert to get notified when a file or folder changes in SharePoint
Manage, view, or delete SharePoint alerts
Add RSS feeds from external sites to your site

SharePoint

Documents and Libraries

Alerts

Create an alert to get notified when a file or folder changes in SharePoint

Get alerts on item changes in SharePoint

You can get an alert whenever a file, link, or folder is changed in a SharePoint document library. Depending on the item (file, folder, link), you might see different options when you set an alert.

Go to the list or library.
Select the file, link, or folder for which you want to get an alert.
From the list of options for the list or library, select the ellipses (...), and then selectAlert Me.
In the Alert me when items change dialog, select and change the options you want.
To save, selectOK.

Get alerts on all changes in a document library in SharePoint

Go to the list or library and make sure no items are selected.
From the list of options for the list or library, select the ellipses(...), and then selectAlert Me.
In the Alert me when items change dialog, change or fill in the options you want.
SelectOK.

Cancel alerts in SharePoint

To view your alerts from a page on the site, from the list of options for the list or library, select the ellipsis (...), and then selectManage my alerts.
Selectthe alert that you want to delete.
SelectDelete Selected Alerts.
To delete, selectOK.

See updates without email alerts

If you'd rather not get email, but still want to keep on top of changes in your document libraries, seeFile activity in a document library.

Set an alert in SharePoint Server 2021, 2019, or 2016

Go to the SharePoint library or list where you want to set the alert. If you’re looking at a view of the list or library on another page, you might have to selectthe title of the list or library first. For example, to go to the Documents library, you might first have to selectDocuments.
Do one of the following:
- To set an alert for the entire library or list, selectLibrary or List, then selectAlert Me, and then selectSet alert on this library.
- To set an alert for a document, select the document, selectFiles or Documents,selectAlert Me, and then selectSet alert on this document.
- To set an alert on a list item, select the item, selectthe Items tab, selectAlert Me, and then selectSet alert on this item.
Select the options you want for the alert.

Note:The exact names of the tabs and buttons in steps 1 and 2 vary if you are in a specialized library or list, such as a picture library, tasks list, or calendar list. For example, a calendar list has Events and Calendar tabs where you can find Alert Me.

Depending on how your site and servers are set up, the useryou created an alert for might receive an email message that confirms that you created an alert. The alert email might provide links to the list or library, alert settings, the name of the userwho created the alert, a mobile view, and other information and commands.

Cancel alerts in SharePoint 2016

Go to the SharePoint library or list where you want to set the alert. If you’re looking at a view of the list or library on another page, you might have to first selectthe title of the list or library. For example, you might have to selectDocuments first to go to the Documents library.
SelectLibrary or List, selectAlert Me, and then selectManage My Alerts.

Note:The exact names of the tabs vary if you are in a specialized list, such as a tasks list or calendar list. For example, a calendar list has Events and Calendar tabs where you can find Alert Me.
Beside the name of the alert that you want to delete, select the checkbox.
SelectDelete Selected Alerts.
SelectOK.