Configure the Hierarchy window
Configure how the Hierarchy window looks and behaves.
You can add columns to the Hierarchy window to display more information about GameObjectsThe fundamental object in Unity scenes, which can represent characters, props, scenery, cameras, waypoints, and more. A GameObject’s functionality is defined by the Components attached to it. More info
See in Glossary in your sceneA Scene contains the environments and menus of your game. Think of each unique Scene file as a unique level. In each Scene, you place your environments, obstacles, and decorations, essentially designing and building your game in pieces. More info
See in Glossary. For example, you can add columns that display the layerLayers in Unity can be used to selectively opt groups of GameObjects in or out of certain processes or calculations. This includes camera rendering, lighting, physics collisions, or custom calculations in your own code. More info
See in Glossary and tag
See in Glossary of each GameObject. The Unity Editor saves your column choices to the project and reloads them when you reopen the project. You can also display an alternating row background in the Hierarchy window for easier navigation of items.
To review Editor preferences that can affect the Hierarchy window, refer to the General tab of the Preferences window.
The Hierarchy window is extensible through scripting. To learn more, refer to the HierarchyModule and HierarchyCoreModule Scripting Reference pages.
Add or remove columns
To add a column to the Hierarchy window, right-click the column heading of the Hierarchy window and select the column you want to add. You can also remove a column by deselecting it in the same menu.
The following table lists the default columns available in the Hierarchy window.
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| Visibility | Displays a column to control the scene visibility status of the GameObject. |
| Picking | Displays a column to control the scene pickability status of the GameObject. |
| Name | Displays a column to view and edit the name of the GameObject. Unlike other columns, you can’t add or remove this column. |
| Active | Displays a column to control the active status of the GameObject. |
| Static | Displays a column to control the static status of the GameObject. |
| Layer | Displays a column to view and control the layer assigned to the GameObject. Use the dropdown menu to assign a layer to the GameObject. |
| Tag | Displays a column to view and control the tags assigned to the GameObject. Use the dropdown menu to assign a tag to the GameObject. |
Manage columns
You can manage how columns display in the Hierarchy window using the following options:
- To reorder columns, drag a column header to a new position.
- To resize a column, drag its edge right or left.
- To resize all columns to fit the window, right-click the column headings of the Hierarchy window and select Resize To Fit.
- To remove any columns you added and reset the Hierarchy window to the default columns, right-click the column headings and select Reset Columns.
Disable alternating row background
The alternating row background is enabled by default in the Hierarchy window.
To disable the alternating row background, do one of the following:
- Go to Edit > Preferences > General, and in the Hierarchy window section, make sure Enable Alternating Row Background is not selected.
- Select the More (⋮) menu at the top of the Hierarchy window, and select Alternating Row Background.
Switch to the legacy Hierarchy window
To switch the Hierarchy window to the legacy Hierarchy window, go to Edit > Project Settings > Editor, and in the Hierarchy section, enable Use Legacy Hierarchy. When you change this setting, any open Hierarchy windows update immediately.