Using SharePoint Flexible Sections & Site Themes like a Professional

Key insights

• Flexible Sections in SharePoint allow users to design pages without strict column layouts, enabling dynamic and creative designs by dragging and dropping web parts anywhere on a grid.


• New Site Themes enhance customization with options for custom fonts and color packages, aligning SharePoint pages with corporate branding.


• The introduction of flexible sections provides advantages such as enhanced customization, increased flexibility, improved user experience, and a streamlined design process through pre-built templates.


• To use flexible sections effectively: add a flexible section, drag and drop web parts onto the grid, resize them as needed, arrange or group them for better management, and utilize section templates from the content pane toolbox.


• This new approach allows for dynamic layouts without strict column structures and offers enhanced web part management with features like multi-selecting, grouping, and overlapping web parts.


• The revamped section templates incorporate both flexible and traditional column-based sections to provide varied starting points for page designs.

Introduction to SharePoint Flexible Sections and Site Themes

SharePoint has recently introduced Flexible Sections, a groundbreaking feature that revolutionizes the way users design and customize SharePoint pages. This new capability allows authors to build pages without adhering to strict column structures, offering unparalleled flexibility in layout design. Additionally, SharePoint has enhanced its site themes, enabling users to brand their pages more effectively. In this article, we will delve into the details of this technology, its advantages, and the basics of using it like a professional.

Understanding SharePoint Flexible Sections Technology

Flexible Sections in SharePoint are a new type of section that allows users to create dynamic pages without being constrained by traditional column layouts. When adding a section to a page, users can select the "Flexible" option, which enables them to drag and drop web parts anywhere on a grid. These web parts will snap to the closest grid line when moved, ensuring alignment and order. Users can also resize web parts—card-based web parts like Quick Links, People, or Hero have four predefined width options, while non-card-based web parts like Text, Image, and File & Media can be resized to any width.

Site Themes and Customization

In addition to flexible sections, SharePoint has also enhanced its site themes, allowing users to customize fonts, colors, and other branding elements. This includes the ability to use custom fonts and bespoke color packages to align SharePoint pages with corporate branding. These enhancements provide users with the tools necessary to create visually appealing and brand-consistent pages, thereby improving the overall user experience.

Advantages of Using SharePoint Flexible Sections

The introduction of flexible sections offers several advantages:

• Enhanced Customization: Users can create unique and dynamic layouts that were previously impossible with traditional column-based sections.
• Increased Flexibility: Web parts can be moved and resized freely within the grid, allowing for more creative and visually appealing designs.
• Improved User Experience: The ability to overlap web parts and group them enhances the visual appeal and functionality of SharePoint pages.
• Streamlined Design Process: With the new section templates, users can quickly start designing pages using pre-built layouts that can be easily customized.

Basics of Using SharePoint Flexible Sections

To use flexible sections effectively, follow these steps:

• Add a Flexible Section: When creating a new section on a SharePoint page, select the "Flexible" option from the available section types.
• Drag and Drop Web Parts: Place web parts anywhere on the grid within the flexible section. These parts will automatically align to the nearest grid line.
• Resize Web Parts: Adjust the size of web parts according to your design needs. Card-based web parts have limited width options, while non-card-based web parts can be resized freely.
• Arrange and Group Web Parts: Overlap web parts for a layered effect, or group them for easier management and movement.
• Use Section Templates: Drag and drop new section templates from the content pane toolbox to quickly start building your page with pre-designed layouts.

Innovations in SharePoint Design Approach

The introduction of flexible sections marks a significant shift in how SharePoint pages are designed. Key new features include:

• Dynamic Layouts: The ability to create pages without strict column structures opens up endless design possibilities.
• Enhanced Web Part Management: Users can now multi-select, group, and overlap web parts for more complex and engaging layouts.
• Revamped Section Templates: New templates are available that incorporate both flexible and traditional column-based sections, providing users with a variety of starting points for their designs.

In summary, SharePoint's flexible sections and enhanced site themes offer users unprecedented control over page design, making it easier to create visually appealing and functionally robust SharePoint pages. As users become more familiar with these tools, the potential for innovative and engaging page designs will only continue to grow.

Keywords

SharePoint Flexible Sections Site Themes Professional SharePoint Design SharePoint Customization Modern SharePoint Layouts SharePoint Branding Advanced SharePoint Techniques Enhance SharePoint Sites