SharePoint Management: The Basics

Here is a straightforward guide focused on the essentials: how to add documents to a page and how to use key web parts to keep your team productive.

1. How to Edit a Page and Add Content

Click Edit in the top-right corner of your SharePoint page to enter edit mode.
Hover over or under existing content until a line with a + icon appears.
Click + to open the web part picker.
Search for or select the web part you want, configure its settings, and click Republish (or Save as Draft) when finished.

There are two primary ways to display documents on a SharePoint page depending on your goal:

Use this when you want a specific document (e.g., an employee handbook, PDF policy, or Excel sheet) visible directly on the page.

How to add it: Add a File and Media web part. Choose a document from your site or upload one from your computer.
Best practice: Ideal for featured documents that everyone needs to view without extra clicks.

Use this when you want users to browse, download, or upload multiple files within a folder or library.

How to add it: Add a Document Library web part. Select the document library you wish to embed.
Best practice: Set the view to "Compact List" or filter by a specific subfolder in the web part properties pane to save screen space.

Focus on a handful of high-impact web parts rather than cluttering your page:

Web Part	What It Does	Why It Helps Productivity
Quick Links	Displays clickable links as buttons, cards, or lists with custom icons.	Provides 1-click access to frequently used forms, portals, and external sites.
Text	Simple rich-text editor for notes, instructions, and bullet points.	Gives context, outlines procedures, or explains what users should do on the page.
Planner / To Do	Embeds Microsoft Planner task boards or lists.	Keeps team tasks, deadlines, and assignments front and center.
Microsoft Forms	Embeds a live survey, intake request form, or quick poll.	Streamlines data collection (e.g., ticket requests or feedback) without forcing users to leave the page.
Events	Lists upcoming team meetings, deadlines, or office schedules.	Ensures team members do not miss upcoming dates or calendar items.
People	Displays profile cards with contact details for team members.	Makes it easy for users to find contacts, email key leaders, or see team leads.

Use Section Shading: Click the edit icon on the left edge of any section and change the background shade (e.g., light gray) to separate different topics cleanly.
Keep Navigation Short: In the Quick Links web part, use the Grid or Button layout for small link sets, or List view for longer lists.
Combine Text and Documents: Place a 2-column section with a Text web part explaining a procedure on the left, and the File and Media web part featuring the relevant document on the right.