🧠 What Is Microsoft SharePoint?

Microsoft SharePoint is a web-based platform used by organizations to store, organize, share, and manage information. It’s part of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem and is especially popular for building intranet sites, managing documents, and enabling team collaboration.

Think of it as a digital workspace where teams can:

• Share files and folders
• Create custom lists and dashboards
• Automate workflows
• Communicate through internal websites

🧩 Core Features of SharePoint

• Sites: You can create team sites, communication sites, or department portals.
• Document Libraries: Centralized storage with version control, metadata, and sharing options.
• Lists: Custom tables for tracking tasks, contacts, inventory, or any structured data.
• Pages: Visual layouts for news, instructions, or dashboards.
• Permissions: Control who can view, edit, or manage content.
• Integration: Works seamlessly with Microsoft Teams, Outlook, OneDrive, and Power Automate.

🛠️ How Organizations Use SharePoint

• Intranet Portals: Share company news, HR resources, and internal updates.
• Project Collaboration: Share documents, assign tasks, and track progress.
• Document Management: Store files with version history and approval workflows.
• Workflow Automation: Use Power Automate to trigger actions like email alerts or form approvals.
• Knowledge Base: Create searchable libraries of guides, FAQs, and policies.

🧠 SharePoint Versions

• SharePoint Online: Cloud-based version included with Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
• SharePoint Server: On-premises version for organizations that manage their own infrastructure.
• SharePoint Designer: A legacy tool used for customizing workflows and pages (mostly phased out).

🎓 Learning SharePoint

If you’re new to SharePoint, here’s what you’d typically learn first:

1. How to create a site and customize its layout.
2. How to upload and manage documents.
3. How to create lists and connect them to forms.
4. How to set permissions for different users or groups.
5. How to automate tasks using Power Automate.

🚀 Why Use SharePoint?

• Centralized Collaboration: Everything your team needs in one place.
• Secure Document Management: With audit trails and access control.
• Customizable Workspaces: Tailor sites to fit your team’s workflow.
• Scalable: Works for small teams or entire enterprises.
• Mobile-Friendly: Accessible from any device.