How to Actually Edit Promoted Links in SharePoint

Most SharePoint admins waste hours trying to update a simple Promoted Links list. They click around the default interface, get frustrated, and assume the platform is broken.

It is not broken. You are just looking at the wrong view.

Stop fighting the user interface. When you create a Promoted Links list in classic SharePoint 2013 or 2016, it defaults to a visual Tile view. That view is great for your end users. It is terrible for administrators. You cannot edit properties directly from a visual tile. You need to access the raw data.

Here is the exact process to fix it.

The 5-Step Editing Process

1. Navigate to your list
Go to the Promoted Links list you created. You will see the standard visual tiles.

2. Enable edit mode
Click the Settings gear cog in the top right corner and select Edit. This activates the editing mode for your page.

3. Access the list ribbon
Look at your top navigation ribbon. Click on the List tab to reveal your management options.

4. Change your view
This is the secret step most people miss. Look for the Current View dropdown and change it to All Promoted Links.

5. Edit your raw data
Suddenly, the visual tiles disappear. You are left with a standard, manageable list of items. Now you can easily change the display order, update background images, modify the target URLs, and adjust any other metadata.

The Final Result

Once you finish your edits, simply save your changes. Your updated tiles will immediately reflect across the site. It is not magic. It is just understanding how the tool actually works.

Need to build these from scratch? You can read the documentation on creating classic SharePoint tiles or watch this complete video walkthrough: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e02w17EfDRQ.