Three SharePoint Online tips and tricks:
1. Leverage SharePoint Search
SharePoint Online's search capabilities are extensive and can help one quickly find the information they need. Here are some tips for using SharePoint Search effectively:
- Use natural language queries: Instead of typing in complex search terms, use natural language phrases that describe what one is looking for. Example: instead of searching for "finance budget," try "finance budget for Q3."
- Refine search with filters: If one is getting too many results, utilize filters to narrow down a search. One can filter by site, content type, date, etc.
- Use advanced search operators: If one needs to perform more complex searches, use advanced search operators. These operators allow one to search for specific content types, search within specific sites, etc.
2. Create Custom Workflows
SharePoint Online's workflow capabilities allow one to automate business processes. Workflows can be utilized to approve documents, send reminders, etc. Here are some tips for creating custom workflows:
- Use Power Automate: This is a cloud-based workflow automation tool that one can use to create workflows that connect to other Microsoft 365 services, such as Power Apps and Azure Logic Apps.
- Use SharePoint Designer: The SharePoint Designer is a tool that one can use to create and design workflows. It's a drag-and-drop tool that makes it easy to create complex workflows.
- Use third-party tools: There are a number of third-party tools that one can use to create custom workflows for SharePoint Online. These tools provide more features than the built-in workflow tools.
3. Utilize the SharePoint Framework (SPFx)
This is a tool that one can use to create custom web parts and extensions for SharePoint Online. SPFx web parts are modern web parts that are built using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. SPFx extensions are extensions that add functionality to SharePoint Online, such as custom actions and custom themes. Here are some tips for using SPFx:
- Use the SharePoint Framework Development Tools: The SharePoint Framework Development Tools are a set of tools which one can use to develop and deploy SPFx web parts and extensions.
- Use the SharePoint Framework Community: There is a large and active community of SPFx developers that can help with development projects.
- Use third-party SPFx tools: There are a number of third-party tools that one can utilize to develop and manage SPFx solutions.
