October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsWindows FixRecommendedWindows errors stealing your time? Find the fix fastScan stability, cleanup and performance issues.Fix NowOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
Document Library

How to View Images as Thumbnails in SharePoint (Classic and Modern Views)

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Use Thumbnails in a classic Picture Library, or choose Tiles in a modern document library. The correct command depends on the library type and SharePoint experience you are using.

Choose the right SharePoint view

SharePoint has more than one image-browsing interface. A classic Picture Library exposes a ribbon and a Current View menu; its thumbnail layout is named Thumbnails. Modern document libraries use a view selector, where the visual equivalent is Tiles. An Asset Library is intended for media and normally opens with a Thumbnails view already selected.

Where your images are stored Thumbnail-oriented choice What you will see
Classic Picture Library Library > Current View > Thumbnails Small picture previews with file and picture details
Modern document library View selector > Tiles Large visual cards for files and folders
Asset Library Thumbnails (default view) Media-focused previews for images, video and audio

Show thumbnails in a classic Picture Library

  1. Go to the SharePoint site that contains the picture library.
  2. Open the library from the site page, the Quick Launch navigation, or Site contents.
  3. On the ribbon, open the Library tab.
  4. Open the Current View drop-down arrow.
  5. Select Thumbnails. SharePoint replaces the text-heavy list with small versions of the pictures.
  6. Click a thumbnail or the file name to open the image and its details.

If the ribbon is not visible, you are probably in the modern experience or do not have the permissions needed to change the view. Use the modern procedure below, or ask a site owner to expose the library’s view controls.

Use Tiles in a modern document library

  1. Open the document library that contains the images.
  2. At the top of the library, open the current view selector (the control showing the current view name).
  3. Choose Tiles. SharePoint displays files as visual tiles rather than rows.
  4. Select a tile to open the image, or open the item’s details to inspect metadata and the file preview.

To adjust the layout rather than create a new one, open the view selector and choose Edit current view. The exact columns and sorting options available depend on the library configuration. Tiles is the modern SharePoint equivalent of a thumbnail-oriented browse screen; it is not the same classic Picture Library view.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
Philips 24 Inch Computer Monitor FHD 100Hz VA VESA Flicker-Free, 241V8LB
  • CRISP CLARITY: This 23.8″ Philips V line monitor delivers crisp Full HD 1920x1080 visuals. Enjoy movies, shows and videos with remarkable detail
  • INCREDIBLE CONTRAST: The VA panel produces brighter whites and deeper blacks. You get true-to-life images and more gradients with 16.7 million colors
  • THE PERFECT VIEW: The 178/178 degree extra wide viewing angle prevents the shifting of colors when viewed from an offset angle, so you always get consistent colors
  • WORK SEAMLESSLY: This sleek monitor is virtually bezel-free on three sides, so the screen looks even bigger for the viewer. This minimalistic design also allows for seamless multi-monitor setups that enhance your workflow and boost productivity
  • A BETTER READING EXPERIENCE: For busy office workers, EasyRead mode provides a more paper-like experience for when viewing lengthy documents

Use an Asset Library for media collections

An Asset Library is a media-focused document-library type. Microsoft describes its default Thumbnails view as showing small previews for quick browsing. It supports image, video and audio content types and can extract metadata from BMP, GIF, ICO, JPEG, PNG and TIFF files.

If your team repeatedly manages visual assets, an Asset Library can be easier to browse than a general-purpose document library. If the files already live in a standard modern library, changing that library to Tiles is usually less disruptive than moving the files.

Show previews on a SharePoint page

Document-library web part

A modern SharePoint page can display a selected library view through the Document library web part. When configuring the web part, choose the library and then choose a view that uses either Details or Tiles. This lets visitors browse thumbnails without leaving the page.

Rank #2
Philips 22 Inch Computer Monitor FHD 100Hz VA VESA Flicker-Free, 221V8LB
  • CRISP CLARITY: This 22 inch class (21.5″ viewable) Philips V line monitor delivers crisp Full HD 1920x1080 visuals. Enjoy movies, shows and videos with remarkable detail
  • 100HZ FAST REFRESH RATE: 100Hz brings your favorite movies and video games to life. Stream, binge, and play effortlessly
  • SMOOTH ACTION WITH ADAPTIVE-SYNC: Adaptive-Sync technology ensures fluid action sequences and rapid response time. Every frame will be rendered smoothly with crystal clarity and without stutter
  • INCREDIBLE CONTRAST: The VA panel produces brighter whites and deeper blacks. You get true-to-life images and more gradients with 16.7 million colors
  • THE PERFECT VIEW: The 178/178 degree extra wide viewing angle prevents the shifting of colors when viewed from an offset angle, so you always get consistent colors

Details pane

The modern details pane can expose a thumbnail of the selected file’s content. In a list-style view, select the item from the left side and open the details pane. In a thumbnail-style view, select the top-right corner of the item’s image and then open the pane. The pane is useful when you need a preview plus metadata without opening the full file.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Image Gallery web part

For a presentation page rather than a working library, an Image Gallery web part can place selected images in a visual gallery. It is a page presentation choice; it does not change the underlying library’s view or files.

Why SharePoint thumbnails are blank

Check the image dimensions

Microsoft documents a classic SharePoint Online issue when a Picture Library image is larger than 50 megapixels. The original file may open normally while its thumbnail remains blank. Reduce the image below 50 megapixels and upload the corrected file, or move to the newer document-library view.

Rank #3
Sale
Dell 24 Monitor - SE2426H - 23.8-inch FHD (1920x1080) 144Hz 1ms Display, in-Plane Switching (IPS) Technology, AMD FreeSync™, TÜV 3-Star 2X HDMI, Tilt
  • Clear visuals. Fluid motion: A 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms MPRT deliver smooth, tear‑free motion across work, gaming, and streaming for clearer, more fluid viewing.
  • Eye comfort: TÜV Rheinland 3‑star* certification reduces harmful blue light while preserving stunning color quality without compromise. *TÜV Rheinland 3-star eye comfort certification.
  • Wide viewing angle: Get consistent views across a wide 178° /178° viewing angle.
  • In-Plane Switching (IPS): See excellent color accuracy and consistency across wide viewing angles with In-plane Switching (IPS) technology.
  • Ultra-thin bezels: Maximize your viewing experience with thin bezels.

Do not substitute a different limit from another Microsoft service. Microsoft documentation for OneDrive.com, for example, describes image previews under 100 MB (approximately 12,000 × 8,000 pixels). That figure is not a universal limit for every SharePoint tenant, SharePoint Server edition or library type.

Confirm the file format

Preview support varies by SharePoint edition and service. Microsoft lists formats including AI, BMP, EMF, EPS, GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, PSD, SVG, TIF, TIFF and WMF for SharePoint Server Subscription Edition. A format supported in one edition or preview service should not be assumed to behave identically in another tenant.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Verify the experience and library type

If you are looking for Library > Current View but see a modern view selector, you are not in the classic Picture Library screen. Choose Tiles instead. Conversely, if a team expects Asset Library thumbnails but is using a normal document library, the default layout will be different.

Rank #4
Samsung 27" Essential S3 (S36GD) Series FHD 1800R Curved Computer Monitor
  • CURVED FOR ENHANCED ENGAGEMENT: An immersive viewing experience with a curved monitor that wraps more closely around your field of vision; It creates a wider view, enhancing depth perception and minimizing peripheral distraction
  • SMOOTH PERFORMANCE FOR SEAMLESS CONTENT: Stay in the action when playing games, watching videos, or working on creative projects; The 100Hz refresh rate reduces lag and motion blur so you don't miss a thing in fast-paced moments¹
  • MORE GAMING POWER: Gain the edge with optimizable game settings; Color and image contrast can be adjusted to see scenes more vividly and spot enemies hiding in the dark; Game Mode adjusts any game to fill the screen so you can view every detail²
  • KEEP IT EASY ON THE EYES: Care for your eyes and stay comfortable, even during long sessions; Advanced eye comfort technology certified by TÜV reduces eye strain by minimizing blue light and reducing irritating screen flicker²
  • INCREASED VERSATILITY: Connect to more; Plug devices straight into your monitor for increased flexibility, making your computing environment even more convenient

Try the alternate view

When a classic Picture Library fails to render a preview, open the same content through a modern document-library view if available. This is Microsoft’s documented workaround for the large-image thumbnail problem and also helps determine whether the issue is tied to the classic interface.

Classic Thumbnails versus modern Tiles

Question Classic Picture Library Modern document library
View name Thumbnails Tiles
Where to change it Library tab, Current View menu View selector at the top of the library
Best fit Existing picture-library workflows and picture details Current SharePoint sites using standard document libraries
Page embedding Classic library page Document-library web part in Details or Tiles layout
Common failure to check Images over 50 megapixels Unsupported format or using the wrong experience
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Or skip the browser setup

If you need repeatable screenshots of a SharePoint page, library view or public image URL, ScreenshotNeo provides a single HTTP endpoint. Read the parameter reference in the ScreenshotNeo documentation before adding authentication, waiting rules or output options.

cURL

curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://contoso.sharepoint.com/sites/Marketing/Shared%20Documents -o shot.webp

Python

import requests
r = requests.get("https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot", params={"access_key": "YOUR_API_KEY", "url": "https://contoso.sharepoint.com/sites/Marketing/Shared%20Documents"}, timeout=90)
open("shot.webp", "wb").write(r.content)

Node.js

const q = new URLSearchParams({ access_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY', url: 'https://contoso.sharepoint.com/sites/Marketing/Shared%20Documents' });
const res = await fetch(`https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot?${q}`);

Replace the example SharePoint address with the page you are allowed to capture. For private pages, use the service’s supported custom headers, cookies, user agent or Authorization options rather than publishing credentials in a URL. A successful response is an image (PNG, JPEG or WebP) or a PDF, depending on the options you send.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
Sale
Sceptre New 22-Inch Gaming Monitor, FHD 1080p, Up to 144Hz, HDMI, DisplayPort, Built-in Speakers, Machine Black (E225W-FW144 Series, 2026)
  • 【INTEGRATED SPEAKERS】Whether you're at work or in the midst of an intense gaming session, our built-in speakers provide rich and seamless audio, all while keeping your desk clutter-free.
  • 【EASY ON THE EYES】 Protect your eyes and enhance your comfort with Blue-Light Shift technology. This feature reduces harmful blue light emissions from your screen, helping to alleviate eye strain during long hours of use and promoting healthier viewing habits.
  • 【WIDEN YOUR PERSPECTIVE】Our sleek minimal bezel design ensures undivided attention. The nearly bezel-free display seamlessly connects in a dual monitor arrangement, delivering an unobstructed view that lets you focus on more at once, completely distraction-free.

What ScreenshotNeo handles

  • It accepts cookie and consent banners before capture and removes more than 60 known consent platforms, newsletter popups and chat widgets. Each cleanup step can be turned off.
  • Only clean shots are billed. Bot checks or CAPTCHAs, blank pages, timeouts, failed loads and cache hits cost nothing. Response headers identify the result with X-Page-Verdict and X-Billed.
  • An MCP server exposes take_screenshot, get_page_info and capture_pdf to Claude, Cursor and other MCP clients.
  • Capture options include full-page screenshots with lazy images loaded, a single CSS-selected element, dark mode, 12 device presets, custom viewports, retina scale, PDF paper size and margins, landscape mode and page ranges.
  • You can inject custom CSS or JavaScript, click an element before capture, hide selectors, wait for a selector, delay or network idle, and block ads, trackers, requests or resource types.
  • For controlled environments, provide custom headers, cookies, user agent, Authorization, timezone or geolocation. Other options include transparent backgrounds, image resizing, a chosen cache TTL, signed links for public image tags, asynchronous jobs with signed webhooks, bulk capture of up to 100 URLs per call, a usage API and an OpenAPI specification.
  • Parameter names used by other screenshot APIs also work, which can simplify a migration.

Plans and billing

Plan Allowance Price
Free 1,000 shots per month No card required
Starter 3,000 shots $5
Growth 15,000 shots $15
Pro 60,000 shots $39
Scale 250,000 shots $99
Business 1,000,000 shots $249

Every feature is included on every plan, and yearly billing provides two months free. Cookie banners, popups and chat widgets are removed before the shot; bot checks, blank pages and failed loads are never billed; and the MCP server lets AI agents take screenshots. You can start with 1,000 screenshots a month at no charge and no card, or create a free ScreenshotNeo account.

Practical checklist

  • Classic Picture Library: choose Library > Current View > Thumbnails.
  • Modern document library: choose Tiles from the view selector.
  • Media repository: consider an Asset Library, whose default view is Thumbnails.
  • Page display: use the Document library web part in Details or Tiles layout, or an Image Gallery for a curated page.
  • Blank preview: check whether the image exceeds 50 megapixels, then verify its format and whether you are using the classic or modern experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing to Thumbnails or Tiles alter the original image?

No. A view changes how SharePoint presents the files; it does not resize, recompress or replace the originals.

Can I keep a thumbnail layout while still seeing metadata?

Yes. In the modern experience, use the details pane with a tiled or thumbnail-oriented view. The pane shows the selected file’s preview together with its available metadata.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Read next

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.