Modern pages in SharePoint offer a flexible, engaging way to share content, build collaboration spaces, and showcase information dynamically. This guide covers how to create, customize, and effectively use modern pages, tailored for site owners, content managers, and SharePoint enthusiasts seeking to modernize their intranet or team sites. Whether you’re new to SharePoint or looking to upgrade your existing pages, these insights will help you leverage modern pages to their fullest potential.
1. Creating a Modern Page
To create a modern page in SharePoint Online, navigate to your site and click on the gear icon, then select “Site Contents”. From there, click “New” and choose “Page”—you’ll see options for a blank page or a template. Modern pages are built using the SharePoint page designer, which offers drag-and-drop functionality, making it easy to add sections, web parts, and customize your layout without coding. Creating a new page is the first step toward making your site more interactive and visually appealing, especially as it allows you to quickly publish content that is mobile-friendly and responsive.
2. Choosing the Right Web Parts
Web parts are the building blocks of a modern page, enabling you to add diverse content like text, images, videos, documents, and data visualizations. SharePoint provides a variety of web parts such as the Hero web part for highlighting key information, the News web part for updates, and the Document Library web part for easy access to files. Selecting the right web parts depends on your goals; for example, if you want to showcase recent news, use the News web part, whereas for displaying metrics, consider the Power BI web part. Proper web part selection makes your pages more engaging and tailored to your audience’s needs.
3. Customizing Layout and Sections
Modern pages allow flexible layout customization through sections and columns, supporting one to six columns per section. You can choose from layout options like one-column, two-column, or three-column layouts, and even add full-width sections for impactful images or videos. Adjusting these sections helps create a visual hierarchy and guides users through your content effectively. Proper layout design enhances readability and ensures your page looks professional on desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
4. Incorporating Multimedia Content
Adding images, videos, and other multimedia elements makes your pages more dynamic and engaging. SharePoint’s Image web part supports uploading or embedding images directly from OneDrive or SharePoint document libraries. For videos, you can embed content from YouTube, Vimeo, or Stream, providing rich media experiences. Multimedia content is especially useful for tutorials, product demos, or visual storytelling, helping convey your message more effectively and keeping visitors interested.
5. Utilizing Templates for Consistency
SharePoint modern pages can be based on templates, which ensure consistency across multiple pages. Microsoft provides built-in templates for team sites, communication sites, and project pages, but you can also create custom templates tailored to your branding and workflow. Using templates saves time and maintains a uniform look and feel, which is critical for branding and user experience. Templates are especially useful in large organizations managing multiple pages or sites.
6. Adding Dynamic Content with Web Parts
Web parts like the List, Highlighted Content, and Embed enable dynamic content integration. For example, the Highlighted Content web part can automatically display recent documents, news, or items filtered by metadata. The Embed web part allows you to insert third-party content like maps, forms, or custom dashboards. Incorporating dynamic content keeps your pages fresh and relevant, reducing maintenance and increasing user engagement through real-time updates and interactive features.
7. Setting Permissions and Sharing
Modern pages respect SharePoint’s permission settings, allowing you to control who can view or edit content. You can set permissions at the site, page, or web part level, ensuring sensitive information stays secure. Sharing pages with specific groups or individuals fosters collaboration while maintaining control. Proper permission management ensures your content is accessible to the right audience without risking unauthorized changes or exposure.
8. Publishing and Versioning
Before publishing a modern page, review your content and layout, then click “Publish” to make it live. SharePoint’s version history feature automatically saves previous versions, enabling you to revert changes if needed. This process helps prevent accidental data loss and allows iterative improvements over time. Regularly updating pages keeps content fresh and relevant, encouraging visitors to return for new information.
9. Monitoring Page Performance and Analytics
SharePoint provides built-in analytics to track how users interact with your pages. Use the Site Usage report to see page views, unique visitors, and engagement metrics. These insights help you understand what content resonates most and identify areas for improvement. Monitoring performance ensures your pages stay effective and aligned with your organizational goals, enabling data-driven updates.
10. Maintaining and Updating Modern Pages
Regular maintenance involves updating content, refreshing visuals, and removing outdated information. Because modern pages are easy to edit, you can quickly make adjustments or add new sections as your needs evolve. Establishing a content calendar or review process helps keep your pages current and engaging. Consistent updates improve user trust and ensure your site remains a valuable resource.
How to Choose
Choosing the right approach for modern pages depends on your specific goals, audience, and technical comfort. Consider your primary purpose—whether it’s sharing news, hosting resources, or showcasing data—and select web parts and layouts accordingly. Think about your branding requirements; use templates and consistent styling for uniformity. Additionally, evaluate your team’s ability to manage permissions and updates; simplicity may favor fewer, more straightforward pages. Ultimately, focus on creating a user-centric experience that aligns with your organizational objectives and technical capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use modern pages on classic SharePoint sites?
Modern pages are exclusive to modern SharePoint sites, such as communication sites and modern team sites. Classic sites do not support modern pages natively, but you can upgrade classic pages to modern pages or create new modern sites for better functionality.
Are modern pages mobile-friendly?
Yes, one of the primary advantages of modern pages is their responsiveness. They automatically adapt to different screen sizes, ensuring a good viewing experience on desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
Can I embed third-party content on a modern page?
Absolutely. The Embed web part allows you to insert third-party content like maps, forms, or dashboards via iframe or embed codes, making your pages versatile and interactive.
How do I restrict access to certain pages?
Use SharePoint permissions settings to restrict access at the site, page, or web part level. You can assign specific permissions to groups or individual users, ensuring sensitive information remains protected.
Is it possible to revert a published page to a previous version?
Yes, SharePoint automatically saves version history for pages. You can access previous versions through the page settings and restore any earlier version if needed.
Final Thoughts
Modern pages transform SharePoint from static document repositories into dynamic, engaging digital experiences. By leveraging the right tools—web parts, templates, multimedia, and layout options—you can craft pages that are both functional and visually appealing. Regular updates, thoughtful permissions, and performance monitoring ensure your pages remain relevant and effective. Embracing modern pages helps organizations foster collaboration, improve communication, and deliver information in a way that resonates with today’s digital-first workforce, making your SharePoint environment more productive and user-centric.
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