Folder Settings apply custom functionality to a folder. Some can be configured to apply recursively, and some apply only to the folder itself.

You can configure multiple Folder Settings on a single folder, although some settings prohibit the use of others on the same folder.

Available Folder Settings include:

Metadata Categories

Metadata Categories are configured on folders as a Folder Setting. They let you assign a reusable Custom Metadata schema to a folder so files and subfolders in that folder tree use the same metadata keys and allowed values.

Use Metadata Categories when folder structure and file naming are not enough to organize the workflow. They are especially useful when files need to stay in one working folder but still need consistent classification for search, reporting, and Automations.

Hierarchical Folder Structures

When designing a folder hierarchy, you need to know how Folder Settings apply and propagate. The following pages explain how settings behave across folders and subfolders:

Recursion: Where Settings Apply - Defines whether a Folder Setting applies only to a specific folder or also to its subfolders.
Nested Folder Settings - Explains how nested Folder Settings interact.
How Non-Recursive Folder Settings Affect Inheritance - Describes how non-recursive settings establish inheritance boundaries within the folder tree.

Folders on Remote Servers

Folders within a Remote Mount do not support all available Folder Settings. Let us know if there is a particular Folder Setting that you want to use within a Remote Mount; we are always looking to extend our feature capabilities.

Using a Sync with Folders That Have Folder Settings

When syncing files to a folder with Folder Settings that alter file contents or filenames (for example, GPG Encryption, GPG Decryption, Automatic folder organization, or Filename rewriting rules), enable the option to delete files from the source.

A sync to a destination folder with a Folder Setting that alters file contents or filenames will not run unless the sync is set to delete from source. This prevents repeated syncing of the same files every time the process runs, which can lead to high transfer usage charges with no benefit to you.

Copying Folders with Folder Settings

When you copy a folder you can administer to a destination folder where you also have administrator access, you can copy its settings to the destination. The Copy all folder settings and behaviors to the new destination option copies all supported settings to the new location.

The only Folder Settings that can be copied are: Archive Removed Files, Automatically Create New User Folders Here When Users Are Created, Automatically Organize Files into Subfolders, File Expiration, GPG Encryption/Decryption/Recryption, Limit Uploaded Files By File Name Length, Limit Uploaded Files By Regular Expression, Limit Uploaded Files To Certain File Extensions, Lock Subfolders, Publish Events to Amazon SNS Topic, Publish Events to Google Cloud Pub/Sub, Remote Server Mount, Rename Uploaded Files, Send Microsoft Teams Notifications, Send Slack Notifications, Send Webhook, Storage Location (Region), Watermark Previews and Permission Fences.

Inboxes and Public Hosting settings cannot be copied with their source folder because they require unique URL keys for each entry. Files.com does not copy per-folder logos and branding or email notifications when you copy a folder.

Moving Folders That Have Folder Settings

You can move a folder that has Folder Settings configured for it.

As long as the destination is within the native storage of your Files.com site, the Folder Settings will be retained with the folder at the new location.

However, moving a folder that has Folder Settings configured for it into a Remote Mount will only retain those Folder Settings that are compatible with a Remote Mount.

Folders with Folder Settings that are incompatible with Remote Mount (File expiration and Remote Server Mount) cannot be moved to the Remote Mount destination.

Deleting Folders That Have Folder Settings

Deleting a folder will also delete all of its associated folder settings.

This applies whether the folder is on Files.com or on a Remote Server. This also applies whether the folder is deleted using Files.com or deleted by other means on the Remote Server. For example, if a SharePoint user deletes a SharePoint folder then all associated folder settings on Files.com will also be deleted.

To preserve folder settings, consider moving or renaming the folder instead, using Files.com.

Moving or Copying Files to Folders That Have Folder Settings

Moving or copying files or folders into restricted folders will fail when the destination path has filename related folder settings that are stricter than those on the source path. This includes restrictions based on specific file extensions, filename length, or regular expressions.