SharePoint Online crawled properties not being generated for custom site columns - 9 September 2026

ASM2030 5 Reputation points
2026-09-08T13:44:55.0233333+00:00

Hello,

I have created several custom columns of type Single line of text. I have added the columns to a couple of content types, added those content types to a Documents library, and added new items to the library, ensuring for each item that every custom column has a value. I have waited for over a week now and still I am unable to see any crawled properties (for any of the custom columns) under SharePoint Admin > More features > Search > Manage Search Schema > Crawled Properties or add mapping to managed property. 

Steps tried :

  1. Ensure the items with the columns/values I want crawled are appearing in search (i.e., that they have been crawled). 
  2. Re-index list.
  3. Re-index site.
  4. Ensure list is enabled for search under List Settings > Advanced Settings.
  5. Ensure columns are not excluded from search under Site Settings > Searchable columns.
  6. Ensure site is included in search under Site Settings > Search and Offline Availability.
  7. Created a new custom site column manually through the user interface (to see if the issue was related to the code I used to provision the columns, or if it happens to all new columns). I added the new column to the library, and added new items with a value in this column. After the items were crawled (I could see them in search results), I checked and confirmed there was no crawled property for this new column, either.

Anybody facing same issue?... I'm logging in from New Zealand. I am aware that this is a known bug so am unsure if it's affecting this side of the world or perhaps it's a global issue that a lot of tenants are facing.

FYI, I've logged a support request Case [Moderator note: Personally Identifiable Information removed] - TrackingID#[Moderator note: Personally Identifiable Information removed]. However, they have repeatedly asking about screenshots and more information which I've already provided.

I've asked multiple times to call schedule a time for a call and a remote session but they keep calling randomly outside my working hours despite the fact that I've specifically told them my region. It has been over a week now and they have not escalated me to someone who can help.

Microsoft, if anyone out there that can help, please I'm actually desperate here.

Regards

Microsoft 365 and Office | SharePoint | Other | Windows

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  1. Daniel-Vo 6,355 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-09-08T14:44:29.02+00:00

    Hi ASM2030,

    Based on the information provided, it appears that you have already completed the standard troubleshooting steps typically recommended for SharePoint Online Search Schema issues, including reindexing the library and site, verifying search settings, confirming that items are searchable, and allowing sufficient time for indexing to occur. The fact that newly created custom site columns are also affected suggests that this may not be an issue with a specific column configuration or content type. 

    As a few additional validation steps, you may consider:

    • Verifying whether any automatically generated managed properties exist for the affected columns 
    • Creating a new test column in a separate library or site collection to determine whether the behavior is isolated or tenant wide.

    However, given that the issue impacts multiple newly created columns and that the expected crawled properties are not being generated after an extended period, there is a possibility that the problem is related to the SharePoint Online search backend rather than tenant configuration. Similar cases have required investigation by Microsoft's Search or Search Schema engineering teams. 

    Since you already have an active support case open with Microsoft, I recommend continuing to work directly with the assigned Support Engineer and requesting escalation if the issue remains unresolved. When engaging with the engineer, it would be helpful to provide:

    • Tenant ID
    • Site URL
    • Library URL
    • Internal name of the affected column(s)
    • Sample document or item URL containing populated metadata
    • Confirmation that reindexing has been completed and that items are already discoverable through search

    I would recommend asking the Support Engineer to review whether there are any known service-side issues affecting crawled property generation and, if appropriate, engage the SharePoint Search Engineering team for further investigation. Based on the troubleshooting already performed, a backend investigation may be necessary to determine why crawled properties are not being surfaced for newly created custom columns.

    Please keep me and other users updated on the outcome of the support escalation, as the Support Engineer will be best positioned to verify whether additional backend diagnostics or remediation actions are required.

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