Connecting files to video files using the columns in SharePoint

Question

Connecting files to video files using the columns in SharePoint

Avery 0

Hello! I am currently creating a video/photo inventory in SharePoint. I would like a way to connect a document (preferred) or hyperlink that contains an explanation of the videos content. I would like to insert it into the columns, but when I add a column, select "hyperlink", then go to add information, I cannot add additional information into the column. I added a hyperlink column and labelled it document, but this did not work.

Does anyone know how I can go about attaching a document to a file in SharePoint?

Ruby-N 13,320 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-16T16:57:42.8366667+00:00

Good day @Avery,

I hope everything is going well on your end.

I am following up on the support thread that has been discussed and wanted to check whether the information shared in my previous response helped address the issue you were experiencing.

If you are still encountering any issues or have additional questions, please feel free to reach out at any time. I would be happy to assist further as needed.

Additionally, ensuring that everything is functioning as expected and that your experience remains smooth is a top priority.

Thank you again for your collaboration throughout the troubleshooting process. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

2 answers

Your answer

Ruby-N 13,320 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-16T16:57:42.8366667+00:00

Good day @Avery,

I hope everything is going well on your end.

I am following up on the support thread that has been discussed and wanted to check whether the information shared in my previous response helped address the issue you were experiencing.

If you are still encountering any issues or have additional questions, please feel free to reach out at any time. I would be happy to assist further as needed.

Additionally, ensuring that everything is functioning as expected and that your experience remains smooth is a top priority.

Thank you again for your collaboration throughout the troubleshooting process. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Answer 1

Use a hyperlink column or a separate document library and link to the explanation file; a hyperlink column will only store a single URL (plus optional display text), not an attached file.

There are two common patterns for this scenario:

Store the explanation as a separate document and link to it
1. Create or use an existing document library to store the explanation documents (Word, PDF, etc.).
2. For each explanation file, copy its link:
  - Open the document library with the explanation file.
  - Right‑click the file and select Copy link.
3. In the video/photo library, add a Hyperlink or Picture column (e.g., named Explanation):
  - In the column settings, keep the type as Hyperlink (not Picture).
4. When editing an item in the video/photo library, paste the copied URL into this column and (if the form allows) provide a friendly description as the display text.
A Hyperlink or Picture column is designed to store a URL and (depending on the form) descriptive text, not to embed or attach the file itself. It simply points to the resource:
- With Hyperlink format, users click the text to open the document.
- With Picture format, the URL is rendered as an image instead of text.
Use a link item in a document library If the videos are stored in a document library, a link item can be used to point to another resource:
1. In the document library, select New > Link.
2. In Create link to, paste the URL of the explanation document or page.
3. Give the link a meaningful File name (for example, the same name as the related video plus “– explanation”).
4. The link then appears in the library alongside other items and can be opened directly.

In both approaches, the relationship is created by storing the URL of the explanation document in a column or as a link item; SharePoint columns themselves cannot “attach” a document like an email attachment.

References:

Answer 2

Dear @Avery,

Thanks for the clear description of what you’re building. I understand you want each video in your SharePoint library to include an explanation or supporting document and you would like that information to appear directly in the column view.

A “Hyperlink” column can only store a single URL and optional display text. It does not allow additional notes or explanations in the same field. If you need to enter descriptive text, it requires a different column type.

Below are the options you can use, depending on the experience you want.

Here are some options you can consider:

Option 1: Add a description or notes column in the library

This works best if the explanation can be written directly beside each video in the same row.

Open your document library > Select Add column > Choose Multiple lines of text.

Name the column (for example: “Description” or “Notes”).

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Save the column and enter the explanations as needed.

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This provides a clean, simple way to display descriptive text for each file.

Option 2: Keep the explanation as a separate document and link It

This is helpful if the explanation is a Word, OneNote, or PDF file stored separately.

Upload the explanation document to OneDrive or any SharePoint location where users have permission to access it.

Copy the shareable link.

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Open your document library > Add a new column > Select Hyperlink.

Locate the video file > Choose Edit in grid view.

Select the cell under the Hyperlink column for that item.

Paste the link and update the Display text. Confirm the change by selecting the check icon, then Exit grid view.

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This allows the video to remain in the library while the detailed description lives in a separate file.

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Option 3: Use a SharePoint List that supports attachments

If your preferred method is attaching a document directly to each item, a SharePoint List may be more suitable because it includes an Attachments column by default.

Create or open a SharePoint List.

Add a Hyperlink column.

Then add another column by selecting “Show or hide columns".

Enable "Attachments" and apply.

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Open each list item, upload the video files as attachments, and add the description document as a hyperlink following the same steps from Option 2.

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This option is useful if you want all related files grouped inside one record.

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