Data supported by SharePoint

Owned by Dan Jakubiak
Last updated: Jul 02, 2024
2 min read

This guide explains the situations in which a department or group should use Microsoft SharePoint to store data. ITS recommends that groups who are curious about whether or not SharePoint can properly store their data read this page and reach out to techsupport@uconn.edu with further questions.

Both SharePoint and OneDrive use the same OneDrive app on your computer.

Overview

SharePoint should be thought of as a directory-backup tool: SharePoint backs up entire folders. SharePoint can back up every file type and it can directly integrate with some file types.

  • Microsoft365 files, such as Word and Excel, are directly integrated with SharePoint. These files can be edited and collaborated on using the desktop applications or in a web browser.

  • All other file types: SharePoint does not attempt to interpret these files; it simply backs them up to the cloud.

  • SharePoint keeps version history of all file types.

A “file type” can be determined by the characters that follow the file name, also known as the “extension”. Example: resume.pdf and greeting.docx and photo.jpeg

These extensions tell your computer which program to use to open the file. Learn more here: Naming Files on OneDrive and SharePoint

Should my data move to SharePoint?

  • Data that should be on SharePoint

    • Microsoft365 files

      • Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.

    • PDFs

    • Pictures

    • All other files

  • Data that should not be on SharePoint

    • Microsoft Access Databases that are edited by more than one person. Please view Access Database and SharePoint.

    • Large files that are downloaded and uploaded daily (over 100GB)

    • Files that are referenced by on-premises servers and applications.

    • Program files of servers and applications that run on-premises.

    • If you are accessing UConn’s HPC (high performance computing)

    • Primary method of accessing data is on Linux-based workstations or servers

    • Custom lab equipment creating large data sets in a high I/O environment.

The nature of your data does not determine its location, but rather the type of data as described above.

Data in SharePoint are encrypted at rest and in transit.

Ask ITS for help

If you would like help determining the home for your data, please reach out to techsupport@uconn.edu.

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