SharePoint Dashboards: Insights Across All Sites

Key insights

• Dashboard web part is now available on all SharePoint sites, not just Home Sites. This allows you to create custom dashboards for any site to display features and information for end users.


• Cards are the main elements used in dashboards. You can use out-of-the-box cards, design your own with the card designer, or create custom cards using SharePoint Framework.


• This update improves user experience by making pages more visually appealing and easier to navigate through organized card layouts.


• The dashboard feature brings consistency across SharePoint sites, as cards offer a uniform way to present news, data, and other content.


• Flexibility: Users can customize dashboard layouts and card types to fit different organizational needs, enhancing collaboration and information management.


• Recent updates include expanded site support for dashboards and new features like card animations and improved integration with tools such as Microsoft Lists forms, further boosting usability.

Microsoft has unveiled a significant update to SharePoint, introducing a broad rollout of the new dashboard feature across all SharePoint sites. This update marks a shift from the previous limitation, where dashboard web parts were only available on specific Home Sites. Now, organizations can create custom dashboards on any SharePoint site, enhancing their ability to deliver information and features directly to end users. The announcement was made in a recent YouTube video, featuring a demonstration and insights from Microsoft experts.

Expanding Dashboard Functionality Across SharePoint

Previously, SharePoint’s dashboard web part was restricted to designated Home Sites, limiting its reach and usefulness for many organizations. With this update, however, any SharePoint site—whether it’s a Team Site, Communication Site, or otherwise—can now host its own dashboard. This development is expected to help organizations present critical information and engage users more effectively, regardless of the site’s original purpose.

The expanded availability also reflects Microsoft’s commitment to making SharePoint a more flexible and inclusive platform for content management. By enabling dashboards everywhere, users gain consistent access to important features and updates, streamlining the experience across departments and teams.

Customizable Card Options for Enhanced User Experience

A key highlight of the new dashboard feature is the wide range of card options it supports. Out-of-the-box cards allow for quick setup, while the card designer lets users tailor cards to their specific needs. For those seeking even greater flexibility, custom cards can be built using the SharePoint Framework.

This flexibility empowers organizations to balance visual appeal and functionality. However, the tradeoff lies in the time and expertise required to design custom cards versus leveraging pre-built templates. While out-of-the-box cards speed up deployment, custom cards can provide targeted solutions for unique business requirements.

Live Demonstration and Configuration Insights

In the video, Microsoft presenters Pooja Gulati, Mohan Suri, and Vesa Juvonen walk viewers through a live demonstration of the dashboard’s configuration. They showcase how to add and arrange various cards, illustrating the ease with which organizations can personalize their dashboards. The presenters also address how the dashboard integrates seamlessly into SharePoint’s existing page management system.

The demonstration emphasizes not only the simplicity of setting up dashboards but also the potential to create visually organized and interactive pages. Yet, as with any new feature, organizations must consider the learning curve for end users and administrators when adopting these capabilities.

Balancing Flexibility and Consistency

One of the main advantages of the dashboard feature is its ability to deliver a consistent user experience across different SharePoint sites. Standardized card formats and layouts make navigation intuitive and ensure that information is presented in a familiar way, no matter where users access it.

Nonetheless, there are challenges in balancing this consistency with the desire for customization. Organizations must weigh the benefits of uniformity against the need for site-specific adjustments. Over-customization can lead to maintenance burdens, while too much standardization might not meet every team’s unique needs.

Looking Ahead: Feedback and Future Enhancements

Microsoft is actively seeking feedback on this new feature, signaling a willingness to iterate based on user input. The presenters encourage viewers to share their experiences and suggestions, indicating that additional enhancements could be forthcoming.

As the dashboard feature becomes widely adopted, organizations will need to monitor its impact on user engagement and information management. Balancing ease of use, customization, and consistency will be key to maximizing the dashboard’s value within the SharePoint ecosystem.

In summary, the introduction of dashboards to all SharePoint sites represents a major step forward in workplace collaboration and content delivery. As organizations explore these new capabilities, ongoing feedback and careful implementation will shape the future of digital experiences on SharePoint.

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