Creating, Uploading, and Downloading Files and Folders

There are two ways to add content to SharePoint. You can create new files and folders right from the SharePoint website.

You can also upload files and folder from your computer to SharePoint. Uploading a file or folder creates a copy of that file or folder in SharePoint; any changes you make in the future to the file or folder on your computer will not be reflected and changed in the SharePoint file or folder, or vice versa.

You can also download copies of individual files or whole folders from SharePoint. When you do so, you download a duplicate of that file or folder that is no longer linked to SharePoint. Any changes you make in the future to the file or folder on your computer will not be reflected and changed in the SharePoint file or folder, or vice versa.

  1. When you are in any folder in a document library, there will be a New button located near the top of the page that will allow you to create new items.
    New is right before Upload
  2. Click on the New button. A dropdown menu will appear with available options. You can create a new folder, a Microsoft Word document, a OneNote notebook, a link to an outside website, etc.
    Clicking new creates a dropdown with folder as the first option, then different file types
  3. Select the type of item you would like to create.
  4. If you chose a file, it will open in the online version of the appropriate application. For example, creating a new PowerPoint presentation will open PowerPoint online.
    Online applications open in a new browser tab
  5. To rename your new file, in the top left of the screen, click the dropdown arrow next to the Saved status.
    The Saved dropdown is to the right of the switch application menu
  6. In the panel that appears, replace the default name with your desired file name.
    Enter a name. The file type is appended automatically
  7. Your new file name will be created.

Uploading an item means that you are adding it TO this SharePoint document library FROM an outside source, such your computer’s desktop. If you need to upload a very large number of files, it is recommended that you do so in batches.

Be careful about what you upload and where you upload it to! Any items that you upload to a document library will automatically adopt the sharing settings of the folder that you place them in.

  1. When you are in any folder in a document library, there will be an Upload button located near the top of the page that will allow you to upload files, documents, and folders.
    Upload is next to New
  2. Click on the Upload button. A dropdown menu will appear for you to choose what you're uploading.
    You can upload files, a folder, or a template.
  3. Navigate to the file or folder that you want to upload, and select it.
  4. Click Open. The file/folder you selected will be imported into this SharePoint document library.

You can download copies of individual files or whole folders from SharePoint. When you do so, you create local duplicates of that content that are no longer linked to what is in SharePoint. The changes that you make in the copy will not automatically show up in the original, or vice versa.

Caution: Avoid downloading copies of content with sensitive information, as this increases the risk of exposure.

  1. When you are in any folder in a document library, to the left of the files and folders you'd like to download, click on the circles to the left to insert checkmarks.select and download
  2. When you're ready, select Download toward the top of the page.