SharePoint Most-Used Web Part Upgraded

Key insights

• Source: Summary of a YouTube video about SharePoint’s updated text web part; this is a third‑party recap, not the original creator’s words.
  
• Copilot integration: Microsoft 365 Copilot now helps generate page copy, suggest section layouts, and create FAQs directly inside the editor, speeding content creation for non‑technical users.
  
• Flexi Sections (12‑column): New flexible sections let editors build layouts with up to 12 columns, enabling responsive, brand‑aligned page designs without custom code.
  
• In‑place image editing: Editors can crop and shape images inside SharePoint pages, removing the need for external image tools and saving time.
  
• Custom fonts and color packages: Native support for custom fonts and color themes helps maintain consistent branding across intranet pages.
  
• Key benefits: Faster page building, improved visual flexibility, and higher employee engagement; recommended actions include testing Copilot suggestions, using multi‑column layouts, and applying brand packages consistently.
  

In a recent YouTube presentation, technology commentator Steve Corey showcased a notable update to SharePoint that emphasizes both design flexibility and AI-powered content creation. The video focuses on the revamped text web part and how Microsoft 365 Copilot now helps users draft and refine page content directly inside the editor. As a result, the update promises to speed up page building for intranet teams while also introducing new choices that administrators must manage. Below, we summarize the video’s key demonstrations, assess the tradeoffs, and examine the operational challenges organizations should expect.

What the Video Demonstrates

Corey walks viewers through the upgraded text web part and shows how the integrated Copilot can suggest paragraph drafts, rewrite content, and propose FAQs or headings. He also highlights new layout tools such as multi-column sections and enhanced image editing that work without leaving the SharePoint page. The visual walkthrough makes the improvements tangible, illustrating how ordinary authors can create more polished pages faster. Consequently, the presentation frames the update as a productivity boost for everyday content authors.

At the same time, Corey points out practical touches like in-place image shaping and native font and color options that reduce dependence on external design tools. He demonstrates the use of flexible columns that enable richer layouts for hero areas and news modules. This shows that Microsoft intends to bring more creative control into the hands of non-developers. Therefore, groups that previously required design or developer support may now handle many tasks themselves.

Benefits for Content Authors and Editors

One clear benefit is speed: with Copilot offering first drafts and editing suggestions, authors can move from concept to publishable text more quickly. Additionally, built-in image editing and font settings let teams maintain visual consistency without extra software. These combined features reduce friction during the page-creation workflow and lower the barrier for teams that lack design resources. As a result, organizations can produce more frequent and polished internal communications.

Moreover, the upgrade supports richer layouts via features such as Flexi Sections that allow multiple columns and responsive arrangements. This flexibility helps teams present diverse content types in a single page without compromising readability. It also helps align intranet pages with corporate branding through native color and typography options. Thus, the platform now better balances creative expression and corporate standards.

Tradeoffs and Governance Considerations

Despite its advantages, the new capabilities introduce tradeoffs between autonomy and control. If authors have broad creative options, administrators must define governance rules to preserve brand consistency, accessibility, and performance. Without clear policies, intranet pages risk becoming visually inconsistent or difficult to navigate, which could reduce employee trust in internal communications. Therefore, organizations must weigh the benefits of author freedom against the need for centralized standards.

Additionally, AI-assisted drafting raises quality and compliance questions: while Copilot speeds content creation, it can also introduce factual inaccuracies or tone issues if left unchecked. Editors should maintain review workflows and provide training so staff understand how to validate AI suggestions. This oversight demands time and resources, and organizations should plan for that overhead when adopting these features. Consequently, governance and editorial discipline become as important as the tools themselves.

Technical and Accessibility Challenges

From a technical standpoint, richer layouts and custom fonts can complicate responsive behavior and page load performance if not implemented carefully. Admins need to test pages across devices and ensure that large images or complex components do not slow access for remote or mobile users. They should also consider how custom fonts and color packages affect screen-reader compatibility and general accessibility. Thus, technical tuning and accessibility checks remain essential parts of rollout planning.

Furthermore, backup, versioning, and compliance controls must adapt to the faster publication cadence that AI encourages. Rapidly published content can increase the volume of items requiring retention or review, which impacts storage and governance processes. IT teams will need to update retention policies and auditing practices accordingly. In short, the operational side of SharePoint management will need to scale with the speed of content creation.

What Organizations Should Do Next

Early adopters should pilot the new editor with small teams and collect feedback on usability, performance, and quality of AI outputs. Training sessions that teach authors how to use Copilot effectively, along with clear review checkpoints, will help organizations gain benefits while limiting risk. At the same time, technical teams should stress-test layouts and accessibility to avoid unintended user experience problems. This staged approach balances innovation with control and reduces surprises when broader rollout begins.

Finally, leaders should document governance rules for branding, accessibility, and editorial review, and assign responsibility for enforcement. With those measures in place, the update Corey demonstrates can deliver meaningful gains in productivity and page quality. However, organizations that skip governance or testing may face inconsistent pages and added workload over time. Therefore, a careful, measured rollout will likely yield the best long-term results.

In conclusion, Steve Corey’s video makes a strong case that the upgraded text web part and its integration with Microsoft 365 Copilot represent a notable step forward for SharePoint authors. While the feature set improves creative control and speeds content creation, it also raises tradeoffs in governance, accessibility, and operational workload. Consequently, organizations should adopt proven rollout practices and maintain editorial oversight to capture benefits while minimizing risks. Overall, the update looks promising, provided teams plan for the new responsibilities it brings.

Keywords

SharePoint web part update, SharePoint web part upgrade, most used SharePoint web part, modern SharePoint web part, SharePoint list web part improvements, SharePoint news web part update, Microsoft 365 SharePoint features, SharePoint page performance improvements