---
title: Folders and subfolders
description: "This article covers how to create folders, configure their settings, and add subfolders within a matter. ## **Creating a folder** 1. Click into the matter where you want to update folder settings 2. Click the **Setup** tab at the top…"
url: "https://ebriefready.legalready.ai/knowledge/folders-and-subfolders/"
updated: "2026-08-10"
category: Matter Management
---

# Folders and subfolders

This article covers how to create folders, configure their settings, and add subfolders within a matter.

## **Creating a folder**

1. Click into the matter where you want to update folder settings
2. Click the **Setup** tab at the top
3. Select **Folders** from the left panel
4. Click **New Folder **
5. Enter a folder name in the **Name** field
6. Click **Create**

![](https://ebriefready.legalready.ai/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot-2026-07-24-at-01.13.18-1024x576.png)

Your new folder/s will appear at the bottom of the folder list. You can rearrange them at any time by dragging and dropping using the **three lines icon**.

**Note**: Folders will be renumbered automatically based on the new sequence.

## **Editing Folder settings**

Customise any folder by adjusting its Settings, Fields and Advanced options. To update these settings:

1. Click into the matter where you want to update folder settings
2. Click the **Setup** tab at the top
3. Select **Folders** from the left panel
4. Click the**Edit Folder**icon - the **Edit Folder** window will open
5. Refer to the following heading below to find out more about each tab

![](https://ebriefready.legalready.ai/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot-2026-07-24-at-01.15.45-1024x576.png)

**Note**: You can also edit a folder’s settings without going to the **Setup** tab. In the **Document** tab, click the folder in the left panel and then click the **Cog** to access the **Edit Folder** window. 

![](https://ebriefready.legalready.ai/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot-2026-07-24-at-01.16.48-1024x576.png)

### **Edit Folder > Settings**

The **Settings** tab controls how documents are sorted within the folder and how they are numbered in the index.

1. Click on the **Sort by override for the folder** dropdown and choose how you want documents ordered:
   - **Manual / User-defined** (default) — drag and drop documents into your preferred order 
   - **Field: Date** — documents are ordered automatically by date
   - **Field: Document name** — documents are ordered automatically by name
2. If needed, change the **First document number start at field** to set what number documents start from in this folder
3. Tick **Enable consecutive document numbering** if you want the numbering to continue from the previous folder rather than restart at 1
4. Click **Update**

![](https://ebriefready.legalready.ai/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot-2026-07-24-at-01.18.22-1024x576.png)

### **Edit Folder > Fields**

The **Fields** tab lets you choose which columns appear in the folder and rename them if needed.

1. To rename a column, type a new name in the **Column Name Override** field next to it
2. To remove a column, click the **X** on the right
3. To add a new column, select one from the **Select field to add** dropdown and click **+**
4. Click **Update**

![](https://ebriefready.legalready.ai/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot-2026-07-24-at-01.19.37-1024x576.png)

### **Edit Folder > Advanced**

The **Advanced** tab lets you lock a folder to prevent any further changes to it or its documents. 

1. In **Restrict updates** dropdown, select one of the following:
   - **None** — no restrictions applied 
   - **Freeze folders and documents** — locks the folder and documents
2. Click **Update**

![](https://ebriefready.legalready.ai/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot-2026-07-24-at-01.20.03-1024x576.png)

## **Creating a subfolder**

Subfolders sit within a parent folder and allow you to organise documents at a more granular level.

1. Click into the matter where you want to update folder settings
2. Click the **Setup** tab at the top
3. Select **Folders** from the left hand frame
4. Click on the plus sign on the right hand side of the folder name
5. Enter a name for your subfolder and, optionally, review the **Setting** and **Advanced** tabs
6. Click **Create**

![](https://ebriefready.legalready.ai/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot-2026-07-24-at-01.21.56-1024x576.png)

Alternatively, you can click on the folder name you want to add a subfolder to, and then click **New Sub-Folder** on the top right corner:

![](https://ebriefready.legalready.ai/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot-2026-07-24-at-01.20.50-1024x576.png)

A subfolder indicator will appear next to any folder that contains a subfolder. To view the subfolder, click on the parent folder. You can add additional subfolders as needed.

## **Deleting a folder**

If you no longer need a folder, you can delete it from the Folders view.

1. Click into the matter where you want to update folder settings
2. Click the **Setup** tab at the top
3. Select **Folders** from the left hand frame
4. Click the **X**icon on the right hand side of the folder name

![](https://ebriefready.legalready.ai/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Screenshot-2026-07-24-at-01.23.19-1024x576.png)

**Note**: Deleting a folder will also delete all documents within it. Documents are moved to the **Recycle Bin** and permanently deleted after the retention period (set by your administrator) elapses.

[How to create subfolders](https://player.vimeo.com/video/1053292912?h=7cf81892b0&dnt=1&app_id=122963)