How to create a SharePoint site
Visual Guide
Written Guide
Step 1
Login and head to Cardinal Apps at https://apps.uiw.edu
Step 2
Find and click on the 'SharePoint' app. You can find this under the 'Office 365 Apps' tab.
Step 3
Click on '+ Create Site' in the upper left area of the screen.
Step 4
You'll have two options to start your SharePoint site. You may read the highlights on the cards or see the options below, but try to visualize how you want to start your site. Keep in mind, these options simply start your site with certain default settings and do not forever dictate how your site can work.- Option 1 (Team site): Use a team site when you want to collaborate with other members of your team or with others on a specific project. With a team site, typically all or most members can contribute content to the site and the information is limited to only the members of the team or project and specific stakeholders.
- Option 2 (Communication site): Use a communication site to broadcast information out to a broad audience. With a communication site, typically only a small set of members contribute content that is consumed by a much larger audience.
Step 5
Site name
Once you've selected the type of site you want, give it a name. If the name you enter is already taken, you'll be asked to adjust or change it.
Group email address
Every SharePoint site automatically creates an email address associated with the site. The name will auto-populate based on the site name you provide, but can be edited with the pencil icon to the right of the option.
Site address
This is the ending of your site's URL. It will auto-populate based on the site name you provide, but can be edited with the pencil icon to the right of the option.
Step 6
Set the privacy of your site to either Public or Private. If your site is public, anyone can find and join your site's member list (people that can access and view site). If your site is private, only people you invite can access and view the site.
Set your site's language option.
Click 'NEXT' when you're ready
Step 7
Now that your site is set, you are given the options to immediately add members! You can do this at a later time and you do not need to do this, now.
Step 8
All done! Your SharePoint site is now created and you can start customizing the site or upload documents within the 'Documents' tab. When you're ready, add members to your site so they can collaborate and contribute documents and more.
FAQs
Question
Answers
Okay, I've created the site but how do I get back here?
You can head to Cardinal Apps > SharePoint App > Click on the(My sites) button on the left side of the page and click on your site. To pin it to the 'Following' area of this page, you can click on the 'Follow' button in the upper right of your site's page.
Alternatively, you can bookmark your site's homepage. This might break from time to time and need to be re-bookmarked, though.
How do others get to the SharePoint site?
Same method as above. They can access the site via Cardinal Apps > SharePoint App > Click on the(My sites) button on the left side of the page and click the site name.
How do my members and I upload files?
Once on the site, click on the 'Documents' tab and start uploading files! The permissions and interface is identical to your personal OneDrive so if you know one, then you know the other!
This default home page is ugly, can I tone it down?
Absolutely. Click on the 'Edit' button in the upper right and remove widgets, tiles, or options from your site. Sometimes, groups simply keep 'Home' and 'Documents' so there's no confusion or distractions on the site.
This is great, but our group already has a Team via the Teams app that I collaborate with. Do I need to create a SharePoint site and add them to the site all over again?
Great news... if you already have a Team you interact with in the Teams app, your Team already has a SharePoint site! Teams automatically creates a SharePoint site when you create a Team. You can find it via the 'My Sites' option on the SharePoint home page or by clicking on the 'Files' tab in any of your Team's channels in the Teams app.
This is great, but our group wants to make a Team via the Teams app to collaborate in and chat. Do I need to create a Team from scratch and add all the members again?
Nope, you can find the option (Shown below) to automatically create a Team from your SharePoint site's member list in the bottom left of your SharePoint site. Click on the 'Add Microsoft Teams' prompt.
To learn more about Microsoft Teams and how to use it,visit the 'Teams at UIW' page.