NEW SharePoint Dashboard Just Dropped!

Key insights

• SharePoint Dashboard Web Part: The new dashboard is now available on all SharePoint sites, including Team Sites and Communication Sites. It lets users add a customizable dashboard to each site, making it easier to organize and display important information.
  
• Cards: Dashboards use cards, which are small components that show data, actions, or interactive features. These cards can be built-in, custom-made with Microsoft’s Card Designer, or developed using the SharePoint Framework (SPFx). This allows for flexible and dynamic content.
  
• Customization and Flexibility: Each site has its own dashboard that can be tailored to specific team needs. Organizations can use ready-made cards or create their own, ensuring dashboards match their workflows and data requirements.
  
• Integration with Viva Connections and Microsoft 365: The dashboard works well with Microsoft Viva Connections and other Microsoft 365 tools. This integration helps employees access useful resources in one place, improving productivity.
  
• User Experience Enhancements: The new "Manage Dashboard" interface makes it easy for site authors to add, edit, or remove cards. Authors can also combine dashboards with other web parts for a richer user experience.
  
• Expanded Availability and Extensibility: Previously limited to Home Sites, dashboards are now available on all types of SharePoint sites. They support third-party customizations through SPFx, allowing organizations to extend functionality as needed.
  

Introduction to the New SharePoint Dashboard

The recent release of the SharePoint Dashboard in 2025 marks a significant milestone for organizations seeking enhanced customization and interactivity on their SharePoint sites. In a video by Steve Corey, the new dashboard feature is explored in detail, highlighting its ability to transform both team and communication sites. Previously, dashboards were limited to Home Sites, but this update now brings powerful dashboard capabilities to a much broader range of SharePoint environments.

This development allows users to create personalized dashboards without requiring additional licenses, making it accessible and practical for businesses of all sizes. The move towards greater accessibility signals Microsoft's intention to foster more collaborative and efficient digital workplaces.

Core Features and Customization Options

At the heart of the new dashboard is the Dashboard Web Part, a flexible component that enables site owners to build dedicated dashboards tailored to their team's unique needs. The dashboard comprises modular cards—visual elements that can display information, shortcuts, or interactive actions. These cards can be either out-of-the-box, custom-designed using Microsoft's Card Designer, or developed through the SharePoint Framework (SPFx).

Each SharePoint site receives its own unique dashboard instance, allowing individual departments, such as HR or IT, to configure dashboards according to their specific workflows. This degree of customization empowers teams to present only the most relevant content, streamlining daily operations and boosting user engagement.

Integration and Flexibility

One of the key strengths of the new SharePoint Dashboard lies in its seamless integration with both Microsoft 365 Viva and other Microsoft 365 tools. The dashboard supports any custom card types created via SPFx or the Card Designer, ensuring that organizations can extend functionality as needed. This extensibility means third-party or niche business solutions can be integrated directly into the SharePoint experience.

Moreover, the dashboard's flexibility allows for the combination of various web parts, resulting in richer, more informative site layouts. Such integration fosters a cohesive digital workspace, reducing the need for users to switch between multiple applications or platforms.

Enhancing Collaboration and User Experience

The new dashboard's design aims to centralize information and actionable tools, which can significantly improve collaboration. By surfacing essential content and interactive cards directly on the site, team members can quickly find what they need, act on important tasks, and stay informed—all without leaving SharePoint. This approach not only streamlines navigation but also reduces the learning curve for new users.

In addition, the dashboard introduces enhanced manageability through a "Manage Dashboard" interface. This feature simplifies the process of adding and configuring cards, making it easier for site authors to adapt the dashboard as organizational needs evolve. As a result, teams can maintain a consistent and intuitive user interface across all their sites.

Tradeoffs and Challenges

While the new SharePoint Dashboard brings notable advantages, there are tradeoffs to consider. For instance, the expanded customization options require thoughtful governance to ensure consistency and security across sites. Over-customization could lead to fragmented experiences if not managed carefully. Additionally, integrating third-party or custom cards may introduce compatibility or maintenance challenges, especially as SharePoint and Microsoft 365 continue to evolve.

Balancing personalization with standardization is another challenge. Organizations must decide how much freedom individual teams should have in designing their dashboards, while still maintaining a unified brand and user experience. Despite these challenges, the benefits of increased engagement, flexibility, and integration make the new dashboard a valuable addition for modern workplaces.

Conclusion

In summary, the 2025 release of the SharePoint Dashboard offers a robust, customizable platform for building engaging dashboards on any SharePoint site. By leveraging modular cards and supporting extensive customization, this update enhances collaboration, streamlines workflows, and broadens dashboard accessibility across organizations. With careful management, companies can harness these new capabilities to create more dynamic and productive digital environments.

Keywords

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