Introduction

In SharePoint Online, there are many scenarios where you may need to hide a list or document library from the Site Contents page. Whether it’s to streamline the user interface, enhance security, or separate backend resources from end users, understanding how to hide these elements properly is essential for any SharePoint professional.

This blog explores four distinct methods to hide lists and libraries using the Hidden property, along with code samples, best practices, pros, and cons.

Why Hide Lists in SharePoint?

Some common use cases:

To hide configuration or lookup lists used only by forms or automation.

To reduce clutter on the Site Contents page.

To prevent non-admin users from accidentally modifying system data.

To hide lists temporarily during migration, testing, or development.

Important: Hiding a list does not secure it. Users with permissions can still access the list directly via URL.

Overview of the Hidden Property

The Hidden property is a boolean flag available on SharePoint lists/libraries that determines whether the item is displayed in the Site Contents page. Setting it to true hides the list/library from standard UI views:

Hidden: true

Method 1: PnP PowerShell

Best for: Admins who want to automate or bulk-hide lists across multiple sites.

# Connect to the SharePoint site
Connect-PnPOnline -Url "https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/sites/yoursite" -Interactive

# Hide the list or library
Set-PnPList -Identity "Documents" -Hidden $true

Pros

Scriptable, repeatable, and automatable
Great for provisioning or CI/CD pipelines

Cons

Requires admin rights and PowerShell setup
Might be restricted by corporate IT policies

Method 2: .NET CSOM (C#)

Best for: Developers integrating SharePoint into enterprise provisioning systems.

using Microsoft.SharePoint.Client;

var siteUrl = "https://yourtenant.sharepoint.com/sites/yoursite";
var context = new ClientContext(siteUrl);

context.Credentials = new SharePointOnlineCredentials("user@domain.com", securePassword);

List list = context.Web.Lists.GetByTitle("Documents");
list.Hidden = true;
list.Update();

context.ExecuteQuery();

Pros

Can be embedded into larger workflows
Supports bundling with other list settings

Cons

Requires knowledge of C# and CSOM
Complexity increases with Azure AD integration

Method 3: JavaScript (REST API)

Best for: Site owners with Script Editor access on classic pages.

var listTitle = "Documents";
var siteUrl = _spPageContextInfo.webAbsoluteUrl;

fetch(siteUrl + "/_api/web/lists/getbytitle('" + listTitle + "')", {
    method: "POST",
    headers: {
        "Accept": "application/json;odata=verbose",
        "Content-Type": "application/json;odata=verbose",
        "X-RequestDigest": document.getElementById("__REQUESTDIGEST").value,
        "X-HTTP-Method": "MERGE",
        "IF-MATCH": "*"
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({ 'Hidden': true })
}).then(response => {
    if (response.ok) {
        alert("List hidden successfully!");
    } else {
        alert("Error hiding list.");
    }
});

Method 4: SharePoint Framework (SPFx + PnPjs)

Best for: Hiding lists in modern SharePoint using a professional, maintainable approach.

Install PnPjs
npm install @pnp/sp @pnp/logging

Setup in SPFx component

import { sp } from "@pnp/sp/presets/all";

sp.setup({
  spfxContext: this.context
});

sp.web.lists.getByTitle("Documents").update({
  Hidden: true
}).then(() => {
  console.log("List hidden successfully");
});

Pros

• Fully compatible with modern SharePoint
• Secure and governed
• Reusable and version-controlled

Cons

• Requires Node.js and SPFx knowledge
• Dev effort is higher

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right method depends on your team, environment, and governance requirements:

• Use PowerShell for scripted, admin-level control.
• Use CSOM if you’re already working with C# in enterprise tools.
• Use REST JavaScript for quick fixes in classic pages.
• Use SPFx + PnPjs for scalable, modern site development.

Note: Hiding a list is not a replacement for permissions. Always apply proper access controls when working with sensitive data.

How to Hide Lists and Libraries in SharePoint Online (4 Best Methods)