How to Display Document Properties in Excel

If you’ve ever needed to view the metadata or document properties of an Excel file, you may have found that it’s not as intuitive as you would hope. These properties contain information such as the author, title, and subject of the document, as well as any keywords that should be associated with it. Accessing this information can be useful for organizing and categorizing files or for ensuring that important information is properly attributed. In this post, we’ll show you how to easily display document properties in Excel, giving you quick and easy access to this useful information.

Step 1: Open the Document Properties Tab

The first step in displaying document properties in Excel is to open the document properties tab. To do this, click on the “File” menu in the top-left corner of the Excel window. From there, click on “Info” in the left-hand menu, and then click on the “Properties” drop-down menu. You should see a list of options, including “Advanced Properties.”

Step 2: View the Document Properties

Once you’ve opened the “Advanced Properties” menu, you’ll be able to view the document properties for your Excel file. This will include fields such as the title, author, subject, and keywords. To view these properties, simply click on the “Document Properties” drop-down menu and select the field you’re interested in.

Note: If you don’t see the field you’re looking for, you can always add a new one by clicking the “Custom” tab.

Step 3: Edit Document Properties

If you need to edit any of the document properties, simply click on the field you wish to change, enter the new information, and click “OK.” The updated information will be saved automatically, and you can view it at any time by following the steps above.

Step 4: Save Your Changes

Once you’ve made any necessary changes to your document properties, make sure to save your file. You can do this by clicking on the “File” menu and selecting “Save” or by pressing “Ctrl+S” on your keyboard.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know how to display document properties in Excel, you can take advantage of this feature to better organize and manage your files. By keeping accurate and up-to-date document properties, you can make it easier to find specific files and ensure that important information is properly attributed.

Why Display Document Properties in Excel?

If you’re wondering why it’s useful to display document properties in Excel, there are a few reasons. First, it can help you keep track of important information about your files. For example, if you have multiple people working on a project, knowing who authored a file can help ensure that credit is properly given. Additionally, document properties can make it easier to sort and search for files, especially if you use keywords related to the content of the file.

Custom Document Properties

Did you know that you can also create custom document properties in Excel? This can be useful if you have specific information you want to track for your files that isn’t included in the default document properties. To do this, go to the “File” menu, select “Info,” and click on the “Properties” drop-down menu. From there, choose “Advanced Properties” and click on the “Custom” tab. You can then add new fields and enter the corresponding information.

Automatic Document Properties

If you’re interested in automatically assigning document properties to your Excel files, you might want to explore the option of using metadata. This is information that is automatically stored in a file, such as the date it was created or modified. To access this information, go to the “File” menu, click on “Info,” and then select “Show All Properties.” You’ll now be able to view the metadata for your file and use it to create a custom document property if needed.

Final Thoughts

Displaying document properties in Excel is a simple but powerful feature that can help you better organize and manage your files. Whether you’re working on a team project or simply trying to keep track of your own work, keeping accurate and up-to-date document properties can save you time and headaches in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about displaying document properties in Excel.

How do I find the document properties of an Excel file?

To find the document properties of an Excel file, go to the “File” menu and select “Info” and then click on the “Properties” drop-down menu. From there, select “Advanced Properties” and choose the field you are interested in.

Can I edit the default document properties?

Yes, you can edit the default document properties in Excel. To do this, simply go to the document properties tab and click on the field you want to change. Enter the new information and click “OK.”

What are custom document properties?

Custom document properties are fields that you can create in Excel to track specific information about your files. This can include things like client name or project number. To create a custom document property, go to the properties tab and select “Advanced Properties.” From there, click on the “Custom” tab and add a new field.

How can I use document properties to sort and search for files?

By adding descriptive keywords and other relevant information to the document properties, you can use Excel’s search and filter functions to sort and search for files. For example, if you include a client name as a document property, you can easily filter your files to show all documents related to that client.

Can I assign document properties automatically in Excel?

Yes, you can use Excel’s metadata feature to automatically assign document properties to files. This information includes things like file creation date and author and can be accessed by going to the “File” menu and selecting “Info” and then “Show All Properties.”