SharePoint is a web-based collaboration platform developed by Microsoft. It is essentially a content management system that enables organizations to store, organize, share, and manage digital information more efficiently. SharePoint allows users to create sites for specific projects or teams and provides a hierarchical structure for organizing content into lists and libraries. It also includes features such as document management, workflow management, business intelligence, social networking, search functionality, and much more.  

Let’s take a closer look into how to navigate SharePoint. 

Searching in SharePoint 

Having a document storage solution that is secure is important. In SharePoint you can also search for documents if you need to find them quickly. Below are steps to take to search in SharePoint.  

1. Navigate to the SharePoint site where you want to perform a search. 
2. Locate the search bar on the top of the screen. Click inside the search bar to begin your search. 
   
   
3. Type in your search term or keyword(s) in the search bar and press Enter on your keyboard.
4. The search results page will appear, displaying all documents, folders, lists, and pages that match your search query.  
5. You can further refine your search results by using the filters located on the left-hand side of the screen. You can filter by file type, date modified, author, and more. 
   
   
6. To open a document or page from the search results, simply click on the title of the document or page. This will open the document or page in a new tab for you to view.
7. To return to the search results page, simply close the tab or click the back button on your browser.  
   

What is a site in SharePoint?

In SharePoint, a site is a collection of web pages, lists, document libraries, and other resources that share a common purpose or function. A site can be used for a variety of purposes, such as team collaboration, project management, document sharing, or public-facing websites. 

Each site in SharePoint has its own unique URL, security settings, and content. Sites can also contain subsites, which are smaller sites nested within a larger site. Subsites inherit many of the same properties and features of the parent site, but can also have their own unique settings and content. 

Sites in SharePoint are organized into a hierarchical structure, with a top-level site serving as the main entry point for the site collection. This allows users to easily navigate between sites and subsites within the collection and locate the information they need. 

How do you navigate through site structure?  

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to navigate through site pages in SharePoint

1. On the home page of the site, locate the top navigation menu. This menu will display all of the sites and subsites within the SharePoint environment.
2. Click on the site or subsite that you want to navigate to. This will take you to the home page of the selected site or subsite. You can also search for your site if you do not see it on your favorites or create a site by clicking “Create Site”
   
   
3. To navigate back to the previous site, click on the “Back” button in your browser. 

How to save sites to your home page in SharePoint 

When you first enter into SharePoint you will see on your home page the various different sites you follow. If you do not see the site you are looking for, here is how you add sites to your home page. 

1. Search out the name of your site in the search bar 
   
   
2. Select the site you want to add to favorites 
3. Click on the Star at the top right-hand corner of the screen from Not following to Following.
   
   
   

Customizing views in SharePoint  

You can customize views in SharePoint to find relevant content based on specific criteria. This will help you quickly locate the information you need and improve your productivity when working with SharePoint libraries and lists. 

1. Navigate to the site you would like to customize. 
2. Click on the “Edit” pencil icon  
3. You can use the plus signs on the left site to add sections or use templates to customize your site. 
4. Once you have finished editing your site, you can then select Republish. 
   
   

To learn more about customizing your page, click here. 

SharePoint is a great tool and when utilized to its full potential can save so much time while staying secure.