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SharePoint Document Libraries Overview

Jul 4, 2025

Summary

  • The meeting provided a comprehensive walkthrough of how to use document libraries in Microsoft SharePoint, with a focus on differences from OneDrive, team collaboration, and integration with Microsoft Teams and Office apps.
  • The session covered document library features, customization, sharing, versioning, notifications, and automation with Power Automate.
  • Key integration points with Teams, OneDrive, and workflow automation were demonstrated.
  • No decisions or action items were assigned during the meeting.

Action Items

  • None

Introduction to SharePoint Document Libraries

  • Document libraries are designed for team file storage, distinct from personal OneDrive storage.
  • Accessible through SharePoint at office.com, with navigation to different sites and accessible document libraries.
  • Document libraries can be created for specific projects or purposes within a SharePoint site.

Creating, Organizing, and Uploading Files

  • New document libraries can be added via the "New" menu, and displayed in site navigation.
  • Files and folders can be added by creating new documents or uploading existing content, including drag-and-drop functionality.
  • Libraries support multiple file types (Word, Excel, images, etc.).

Sharing, Collaboration, and Version Control

  • Documents can be shared with individuals or groups, with configurable permissions.
  • Real-time collaboration is supported within Office files, with presence/changes visible to collaborators.
  • Version history allows users to revert to previous file states if needed.

Alerts, Customization, and Views

  • Alerts can be set up to notify users of document changes via email or text message.
  • Custom columns can be added (e.g., "status") to track file states.
  • Multiple view options are available (list, tile, compact), with filtering and sorting to focus on specific files or contributors.

Accessing Document Libraries Outside SharePoint

  • Files can be synced to File Explorer via OneDrive, making them available offline.
  • Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) provide direct access to SharePoint document libraries.
  • Files moved via OneDrive support seamless transfer between personal and team storage.

Integration with Microsoft Teams

  • Each Microsoft Team automatically has a SharePoint site for file storage.
  • Files uploaded in Teams channels appear in corresponding SharePoint document libraries.
  • Channels within Teams map to subfolders in the SharePoint library.
  • SharePoint libraries can be pinned as tabs in Teams channels for direct access by team members.
  • SharePoint sites can be linked to Teams if not already associated.

Automating Workflows with Power Automate

  • Document libraries can trigger automated workflows using Power Automate, such as notifications or approval flows.
  • Prebuilt and custom flows can be set up for document management.

Decisions

  • None

Open Questions / Follow-Ups

  • None