What are List Columns and Why Inspect Them? SharePoint lists serve as containers for data, with columns defining the type of information stored for each item. Columns have names, data types, and other configurable settings. As an administrator or developer, you may need to retrieve details about list columns or modify column configurations programmatically. Key…
When creating columns in SharePoint, an internal name is assigned to uniquely identify the column while a display name is shown to end users. Over time, as modifications are made, the display name may no longer match the internal name which can cause confusion for users and issues with any customizations. This guide will cover…
The Need for Governance Implementing robust governance processes and controls is critical for organizations rolling out SharePoint across the enterprise. Without governance models in place, SharePoint environments can quickly become fragmented and unmanageable. Key risks include inconsistencies in site provisioning and lifecycle management, lack of oversight on customizations, and improper security models opened up by…
With more employees working remotely than ever before, securing SharePoint sites and the sensitive data they contain is critically important. Companies must take proactive steps to restrict access, monitor activity, encrypt data, and keep software patched against security vulnerabilities. Failing to properly secure SharePoint can lead to data breaches, loss of intellectual property, compliance violations,…
Assessing Current Performance Bottlenecks Identifying areas of poor page load times or high utilization of computing resources is critical for understanding performance bottlenecks in a SharePoint environment. SharePoint provides built-in performance monitoring tools such as usage reports and database analysis to help diagnose issues. Analyzing user workflows and pain points through interviews and monitoring can…
Customizing SharePoint Site Definitions SharePoint provides various out-of-the-box site definitions such as Team Site, Communication Site, and Hub Site to quickly provision sites for different purposes. However, business requirements often demand customizations and enhancements to these site definitions to tailor them more closely to an organization’s needs. Feature stapling provides a method for customizing and…
What Causes Redirects in Survey Lists There are a few common causes for redirect issues when accessing SharePoint Online survey lists: Accidental Configuration of Survey Settings If administrators accidentally set incorrect access permissions, enable invalid workflows, or input wrong URLs when configuring a survey list, users may encounter unexpected redirects when trying to take the…
When users submit or save SharePoint forms, it is often necessary to redirect them to a new page after the operation completes. Redirecting to a confirmation page or back to a list view can help avoid disorienting the user and losing the context and data they have entered if the form simply closes. The Problem…
The Problem of Losing Form Data A common frustration for users filling out custom forms in SharePoint is the potential to lose entered data if they navigate away from the form before explicitly saving their work. Unlike native SharePoint forms that auto-save entries to list items, custom forms built with tools like PowerApps often require…
Identifying the Root Cause When a SharePoint solution fails to install properly, the first troubleshooting step is to identify the root cause of the failure. Carefully reviewing error logs and messages provides clues into the nature of the issue. Common installation failure causes include permission errors, missing prerequisites, retraction failures, and conflicts with existing solutions….