SharePoint Online is a web-based collaboration tool powered by Microsoft. SharePoint Online enables users to build websites, automate workflows, and communicate while allowing administrators to control access to information.
Training Opportunity
Optional: Continue to the bottom of this guide to view the hour long training video provided by Microsoft. This introductory video covers sharing and managing content, finding information, and collaborating with colleagues.
SharePoint Online combines OneDrive, Newsfeed, and Sites, and is offered as part of the Office 365 suite. With these three main hubs, SharePoint Online provides websites, document and file management, social networks, enterprise search, and business intelligence that can facilitate collaboration among team members.
OneDrive: Store, share, and manage files among site members, inside and outside the organization. Documents and files are not assigned to one specific member so that files are not lost when members leave the group.
Newsfeed: Use the social network to post news for other site members to see.
Sites: Create document libraries, lists, calendars, and other applications that are useful for file management and collaboration between site members.
Who Can Create a SharePoint site?
End users and IT professionals can create a SharePoint Online team site to collaborate with team members on projects and share information from any device. A team site is comprised of a group of web pages related to the site, a default file document library, lists for data management, and web parts that can be customized as needed.
A Team created in Microsoft Teams will automatically create and link a Sharepoint site. Files shared in the Team can be viewed in the linked Sharepoint site.
Team Sites vs Communication Sites
Team sites should be used instead of a communication site when you intend to work with other team members or other users on a given project. A team site is recommended for department sharing; all team members can upload, edit, and download files.
Communication sites are meant to be used for broadcasting content that is created by a small group of members, to be accessed by a broad (public) audience.
Learn more about communication sites by visiting the Microsoft support site.