[Explorer] Hierachy Collapse Functionality Change Request

When you have nested objects like this


and then you press hierarchy collapse all, it works, collapsing all visibly open folds.

But the functionality im requesting is that non-visible open folds are still collapsed by the collapse all button, so that even if i do close a fold, and i click the collapse all, it’ll still collapse all nested folds.

I apologize if i explained this in a round-about way, I tend to have trouble with my wording, but I hope you understand.

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The current implementation of the “Collapse All” function in Roblox Studio’s Explorer hierarchy, where only visibly open folders are collapsed, reflects a design choice rooted in how the tree view system manages state. While technically consistent, this behavior introduces a significant usability gap for developers working with complex projects. In environments where hierarchies contain dozens or even hundreds of nested objects — such as UI frameworks, inventory systems, or large gameplay structures — developers expect “Collapse All” to serve as a global reset.

When this expectation is not met, the result is inefficiency. Developers must manually collapse multiple branches, which interrupts workflow and increases cognitive load. This is particularly problematic for UI designers, who often work with deeply nested frames, constraints, and layouts. The inability to fully collapse everything in one action makes navigation unnecessarily difficult and slows down iteration.

From a broader perspective, most professional IDEs and design tools implement “Collapse All” as a comprehensive command. In Visual Studio, JetBrains IDEs, and other industry‑standard environments, collapsing all nodes resets the hierarchy tree entirely. Aligning Roblox Studio with this standard would not only improve usability but also demonstrate responsiveness to community feedback and a commitment to professional development practices.

Key considerations and benefits of implementing this change include:

  • Workflow efficiency: Developers managing large hierarchies save significant time when they can collapse the entire tree in one action. This reduces repetitive manual collapsing and allows them to focus on creative tasks.
  • Consistency with professional tools: Aligning Studio’s behavior with industry standards ensures that developers transitioning from other environments find the workflow intuitive and familiar.
  • Impact on UI design: Complex UI frameworks often involve deeply nested structures. A full collapse makes it easier to reorganize, locate, and manage elements without scrolling through partially collapsed trees.
  • Reduced cognitive load: A clean slate in the Explorer view minimizes clutter and allows developers to concentrate on the specific section they want to expand.
  • Implementation feasibility: Technically, the adjustment is straightforward. The “Collapse All” command should iterate through all nodes in the hierarchy tree, visible or not, and set them to a collapsed state. This ensures that the Explorer view is fully reset.
  • Community value: Even small quality‑of‑life improvements like this demonstrate Roblox’s commitment to refining Studio usability. Developers notice when friction points are addressed, and it builds trust in the platform’s responsiveness to feedback.

It is also worth noting that this change would have minimal risk of introducing regressions. Collapsing all nodes is a non‑destructive action that affects only the user interface state. Unlike changes to rendering or asset management, it does not alter project data or performance. This makes it an ideal candidate for a quick, impactful improvement that delivers immediate value to the community.

In summary, expanding the “Collapse All” functionality to affect all folders — visible or hidden — would significantly improve efficiency, align Studio with industry standards, and reduce frustration for developers managing complex projects. This adjustment is simple yet impactful, and it would be welcomed by the community as a meaningful enhancement to daily workflows. By implementing this change, Roblox would demonstrate its commitment to continuous improvement and to supporting developers with tools that meet professional expectations.

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bumping the thread, please take this into account.

Perhap you’re looking for Shift + Mouse1? This shortcut allow you to collapse or expand all descendent dir starting from ancestor.

No, this doesn’t do anything lol…

are you sure? it does work for me.

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I tried it in studio and it didn’t collapse all for me, I either did something wrong (which i doubt because i tried it like 20 times) or i misunderstood what you said

I assume youre looking for this?


(sorry for the jittering, my hand is not very steady)

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Nevermind, i tried it again and the keybind you mentioned worked, so odd it wasnt working the other day… thank you for the help though!

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