How to View file details and metadata in OneDrive

Opening the Details Pane

Accessing the details pane on OneDrive.com requires signing in and selecting a specific item. Selecting an item triggers a checkmark, allowing the ‘Info’ icon (a circle with an ‘i’ inside) to open all important onedrive file details.

1. Go to OneDrive.com and sign in with your Microsoft account.
2. Find the file or folder you want to learn more about. You can be in any section, like “My files” or “Photos.”
3. Click once on the file or folder to select it. You’ll see a checkmark next to it.
4. Look for the Info icon. It looks like a small ‘i’ inside a circle. It’s usually in the toolbar at the top, near buttons like “Share.”
5. Click the Info icon. A new pane will open on the right side of your screen. This is the Details pane.

What Kind of Details Can You See?

The Details pane displays different information depending on the file type. Common attributes include:

For Any File or Folder:

• Sharing Information: See who you’ve shared the file with and what they can do (like edit or just view). You can also see files shared with you.
• Last Modified Date: Shows when the file was last changed.
• Created Date: Shows when the file was first added to OneDrive.
• File Size: Tells you how much space the file takes up.
• Location: Shows which folder the file is in.

For Photos:

Photos contain extra metadata extending far beyond standard file attributes. Camera models and capture settings appear alongside device details and geographical coordinates when location data remains embedded in the file.

• Camera Information: If you took the photo with a camera, you might see details like the camera model, settings used (like aperture or shutter speed).
• Phone Details: If you took the photo with your phone, you might see the phone model.
• Location Data: If your phone or camera saved location info, you might see where the photo was taken.
• Extracted Text: For photos with text (like a sign or a document), OneDrive might show you the text it found, making it searchable.

For Documents:

Microsoft OneDrive displays author names stored directly within document properties. Author information appears as a specific attribute alongside file sizes and last modified timestamps.

Reference:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/onedrive/change-views-on-the-onedrive-website

Summary

Reviewing extra details about OneDrive files and photos remains efficient: select a file or folder and click the 'i' icon to open the Details pane. This pane shows sharing status, modification dates, file size, camera settings, and location data.