# Configure the Hierarchy window

> Customize what information displays in the Hierarchy window about GameObjects and items in your scene.

Configure how the **Hierarchy** window looks and behaves.

You can add columns to the **Hierarchy** window to display more information about GameObjects in your scene. For example, you can add columns that display the [layer](/engine/6000.6/manual/working-with-gameobjects/layers.md) and [tag](/engine/6000.6/manual/working-with-gameobjects/tags.md) 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](/engine/6000.6/manual/unity-editor/editor-settings-reference/preferences/general.md#hierarchy-window).

The **Hierarchy** window is extensible through scripting. To learn more, refer to the [`HierarchyModule`](ScriptRef:UnityEngine.HierarchyModule) and [`HierarchyCoreModule`](ScriptRef:UnityEngine.HierarchyCoreModule) Scripting Reference pages.


**The Hierarchy window with columns displaying additional information about the objects in the scene.:**
![](/api/media?file=/engine/6000.6/media/images/hierarchy-window-new.png)

## 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](/engine/6000.6/manual/unity-editor/editor-windows-views-reference/hierarchy-window/hierarchy-reference.md#scene-visibility-icons) of the GameObject.   |
| **Picking**    | Displays a column to control the [scene pickability status](/engine/6000.6/manual/unity-editor/editor-windows-views-reference/hierarchy-window/hierarchy-reference.md#scene-pickability-icons) 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](/engine/6000.6/manual/working-with-gameobjects/gameobject-fundamentals/class-game-object.md#active-status) of the GameObject.                                    |
| **Static**     | Displays a column to control the [static status](/engine/6000.6/manual/working-with-gameobjects/gameobject-fundamentals/class-game-object.md#static-status) of the GameObject.                                    |
| **Layer**      | Displays a column to view and control the [layer](/engine/6000.6/manual/working-with-gameobjects/layers.md) 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](/engine/6000.6/manual/working-with-gameobjects/tags.md) 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** > Editor > **Editor**, and in the **Hierarchy** section, enable [**Use Legacy Hierarchy**](/engine/6000.6/manual/unity-editor/editor-settings-reference/comp-manager-group/class-editor-manager.md#hierarchy). When you change this setting, any open **Hierarchy** windows update immediately.

## Additional resources

* [Hierarchy window reference](/engine/6000.6/manual/unity-editor/editor-windows-views-reference/hierarchy-window/hierarchy-reference.md)
* [Manage GameObjects in the Hierarchy window](/engine/6000.6/manual/unity-editor/editor-windows-views-reference/hierarchy-window/hierarchy.md)
* [Layers](/engine/6000.6/manual/working-with-gameobjects/layers.md)
* [Tags](/engine/6000.6/manual/working-with-gameobjects/tags.md)
* [GameObject class](/engine/6000.6/manual/working-with-gameobjects/gameobject-fundamentals/class-game-object.md)