How to add columns to a specific folder in SharePoint 2016 document library?

Question

I have one document library and inside it, have 4 folders.

I want to upload a document to a specific folder with custom metadata/ column values.

In my case, I want to upload a document in "Key Email correspondence" folder with Date, From, To and Subject as metadata

In a similar way, other folders have other custom metadata(s). how can we achieve this in SharePoint 2016 OOTB?

Answer 1

You need to create a custom folder content type and change the "Key Email correspondence" folder to your custom folder content type.

Then add columns you needed in this custom folder content type.

After that, the specific folder will contain specific columns.

Answer 2

Did you explore using Document Sets? Maybe, this content type will save your time. Document Sets allows setting default values in some columns and export automatically to documents that are inside. Introduction to Document Sets

In addition, you have an option on your library called "Column default value settings" that lets you define column values for documents depending on the folder where you upload it. How to set default column values on a document in SharePoint

If you are searching for different columns for different folders you should think on extending Folder content type and create your owns setting the columns you need for each of them. Then, configure the library with these new content types.