Tracy van der Schyff

#Office365Challenge Today’s tip is very easy to do and adds lots of value for end users.

SharePoint might be easy to use, but for people who don’t use it all the time – and those new to SharePoint – it might be daunting. Today’s tip is an easy way to manipulate the experience users have with SharePoint.

Example:  Our company has an Audit Findings Register. I would like to add a link on a page “Click here to add Audit Finding”. What I don’t want is for SharePoint to open the default view, and then the user has to click “New Item” as well.

SharePoint has 3 pages it uses with lists by default:

• NewForm.aspx – used to add new items
• EditForm.aspx – used to edit current items
• DispForm.aspx – used to display current items

Most lists are created with an AllItems.aspx view. You can of course add a new view and set this as default.

Normally you would point users to the “https://server/TeamSite/SPSS/Lists/AuditFindings/AllItems.aspx“. This would take them to the list, where they then have to click “New Item”:

In this case I’ll make a change. If I change the View name in the URL to Newform.aspx, it will open the New form when users click on the button. “https://server/TeamSite/SPSS/Lists/AuditFindings/NewForm.aspx“. Add this new URL to the button or Promoted Link / Navigation on your landing page and users will get the new form when they click on the link – not the list:

I know. It’s so easy AND it helps a lot!

Overview of my challenge: As an absolute lover of all things Microsoft, I’ve decided to undertake the challenge, of writing a blog every single day, for the next 365 days. Crazy, I know. And I’ll try my best, but if I cannot find something good to say about Office 365 and the Tools it includes for 365 days, I’m changing my profession. So let’s write this epic tale of “Around the Office in 365 Days”. My ode to Microsoft Office 365.

Keep in mind that these tips and tricks do not only apply to Office 365 – but where applicable, to the overall Microsoft Office Suite and SharePoint.