Link folders from private library subsite to public main site

Question

Link folders from private library subsite to public main site

Charlie Martharper 125

So, I have a doubt about linking some private library folders in public library folders. I am working on an on premise SharePoint site.

I have a main site with a library wich is public, and subsites wich libraries are private. Some of the libraries in the subsite must go in the public too. The thing is when creating it as a link, it doesn't appear the folder icon + it appears ".url" in the end. Could it be possible to be a normal folder that redirects to the private folder?

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Answer 1

Jack-Bu 5,490 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hello Martin Vea, Carles

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A regarding your query your on-premises SharePoint environment. In SharePoint on-premises, the default "New > Link" option in a document library creates a .url item, which appends the extension to the name and uses a generic link icon instead of a folder one. This matches what you're describing.

To make it appear and behave more like a normal folder, use the "Link to a Document" content type instead. This creates a special item that SharePoint treats as a redirect, and if the URL points to a folder, it will display with the standard yellow folder icon in library views. Here how to set it up:

Navigate to your public document library on the main site.
Click the gear icon (Settings) > Library settings.
Under General Settings, click Advanced settings.
Set "Allow management of content types" to Yes, then click OK.
Back in Library settings, scroll to the Content Types section.
Click "Add from existing site content types."
Select "Link to a Document" from the list (it might be under Document Content Types), add it, and click OK.
Return to the library view.
Click New > Link to a Document (it should now appear in the dropdown).
In the form:
- Enter a Name (this will be the display name, e.g., "Private Folder Link" – no extension needed or added).
- Paste the full URL to the target private folder in the subsite library (get this by navigating to the private folder, copying the URL from the browser, or using the "Copy link" option if available).
Click OK/Save.

Now, the link should show up in your public library with a standard folder icon. Clicking it will take you right to the private folder, as long as the person has the right permissions to access the subsite.

This should work fine in versions like SharePoint 2016 or 2019. If you're on something older, like 2013, or if the icon or extension still isn't right, just let me know your exact version. I'm happy to assist you further.

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Charlie Martharper 125 Reputation points

2025-11-05T12:41:28.5133333+00:00

Hi, look how it looks when following your instructions. It let me link to a document but it ends with .aspx instead of .url. Did I missed something?
Charlie Martharper 125 Reputation points

2025-11-05T12:49:05.45+00:00

As you can see it's blocked, It doesn't show
Jack-Bu 5,490 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-11-05T13:50:34.5066667+00:00
Hi Martin Vea, Carles

Thanks for sending over those screenshots, they offer valuable insight into the issue. I see that when you used the "Link to a Document" option, it created the item with a .aspx extension and looks like there's a .url link in there too. That's standard behavior in SharePoint because "Link to a Document" generates a redirect page (.aspx file), which includes the extension in the name and uses the ASPX icon. To refine the appearance, eliminating the visible extension and adopting a folder icon. We can apply JSON column formatting to the library's view. This customizes the display of the Name column without altering the underlying file name or disrupting the redirect. Here how it done:

Access your public document library.

In the top-right corner, select the view dropdown (e.g., "All Documents") and choose "Save view as" to create a new view, or modify the existing one. Assign a name such as "Custom View."

Within the view, click the "Name" column header, then select Column settings > Format this column.

In the formatting panel, switch to Advanced mode and insert the following JSON code:
{ "$schema": "https://developer.microsoft.com/json-schemas/sp/v2/column-formatting.schema.json", "elmType": "a", "attributes": { "href": "=@currentWeb + '/' + [$FileLeafRef]", "target": "_self" }, "style": { "text-decoration": "none" }, "children": [ { "elmType": "span", "attributes": { "iconName": "=if(endsWith([$FileLeafRef], '.aspx'), 'Folder', if([$FSObjType] == 1, 'Folder', '')" }, "style": { "padding-right": "8px", "font-size": "1.5em" } }, { "elmType": "span", "txtContent": "=if(indexOf([$FileLeafRef], '.') > -1, substring([$FileLeafRef], 0, indexOf([$FileLeafRef], '.')), [$FileLeafRef])" } ] }

Save.

This configuration will:

Conceal the .aspx (or .url) extension in the displayed name.

Apply a folder icon to .aspx links (and genuine folders).

Preserve the click functionality, directing to the .aspx file for redirection to the private folder.

Maintain standard behavior for other file types.

Note: After formatting, you might need to double-click the item to open it (single-click could just select)

Hope this help clear things up.
Charlie Martharper 125 Reputation points

2025-11-06T07:57:03.6733333+00:00

Hi!

When I add that code, it returns me this and the link doesn't work.

I think I am doing what you told me, tell me if I am missing something.
Jack-Bu 5,490 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-11-06T13:09:40.9733333+00:00

Hi Martin Vea, Carles

Could you help me to verify that your library is using the modern experience (as JSON formatting requires it) and share your exact SharePoint on-premises version (like 2019) for further investigation. Screenshots of any error messages would also be helpful.
Charlie Martharper 125 Reputation points

2025-11-06T13:51:46.06+00:00

Where can I see that information?
Jack-Bu 5,490 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-11-07T07:00:22.5333333+00:00
Hi Martin Vea, Carles

For SharePoint server version please follow this Document.

To check if you're using modern experience, go to the document library in your SharePoint site.

Click Library Settings → Advanced Settings.

Look for the option List experience:

New experience = Modern UI.

Classic experience = Classic UI.

Default (automatic) = SharePoint decides based on compatibility (modern unless blocked by customizations or features).
Charlie Martharper 125 Reputation points

2025-11-07T07:32:23.35+00:00

I am using SharePoint Server 2019

In the library I am using Modern View:

Hope this helps.
Charlie Martharper 125 Reputation points

2025-11-10T11:27:35.23+00:00

Any updates? Do you know if it's possible or I am doing something wrong? Thanks!
Charlie Martharper 125 Reputation points

2025-11-12T07:46:01.04+00:00

Hi Jack, do you know what could I do to solve this?

Jack-Bu 5,490 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Martin Vea, Carles

My apologies for delay in response, your information indeed helpful. I have tried another approach for your situation, could you check the new JSON below:

{
  "$schema": "https://developer.microsoft.com/json-schemas/sp/view-formatting.schema.json",
  "hideSelection": true,
  "rowFormatter": {
    "elmType": "div",
    "style": {
      "display": "flex",
      "align-items": "center",
      "padding": "8px"
    },
    "children": [
      {
        "elmType": "span",
        "style": {
          "padding-right": "8px"
        },
        "attributes": {
          "iconName": "=if([$ContentType] == 'Link to a Document', 'FabricFolder', '')"
        }
      },
      {
        "elmType": "a",
        "txtContent": "=if([$ContentType] == 'Link to a Document', substring([$FileLeafRef], 0, indexOf([$FileLeafRef], '.aspx')), [$FileLeafRef])",
        "attributes": {
          "href": "[$FileRef]",
          "target": "_blank"
        },
        "style": {
          "text-decoration": "none"
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

This will customize the view formatting instead of column formatting, it overrides the whole row rendering for a more comprehensive layout change.

Charlie Martharper 125 Reputation points

2025-11-13T10:42:36.98+00:00

Hi!

This is the preview of that code:

It doesn't change the icons and the tittle disappears. So I guess something still don't get it correctly.

Thanks for helping me, hope there's a solution
Jack-Bu 5,490 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-11-17T11:12:07.6833333+00:00

Hi Martin Vea, Carles

The new JSON need to apply on "Format View" not "Column View". Could you help me check if you have any option to select the Format View

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Link folders from private library subsite to public main site

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