Working with Document Libraries

Not sure if you're using a communication site or a team site? Team sites are generally for collaboration between team members; Communication sites are generally for intranets and sharing information with a broad audience. More details on Communication versus Team sites can be found here.

SharePoint helps you and your team organize files in your site by storing all files and folders in document libraries, which are file directories that don’t overlap (in other words, separate folders that can hold other files and folders). Before you can create or add a file or document to SharePoint, you have to first navigate to the document library where SharePoint should store that specific file or folder.

  • By default, SharePoint sites have a single document library to store files, which is the Documents link in the menu.
  • Site members can optionally add additional document libraries to a site as needed.
  • On communication sites, permissions for different document libraries can be customized.

For example, you may want to have two separate document libraries for syllabi and courseware. Your files will remain separated without needing to create a second site, and permissions to each document library can be shared accordingly - perhaps the course contents is only for the faculty whereas students can access the course contents.
Document libraries will appear in a list.

By default, all document libraries created on your site appear as links in the site menu, which is on the left of a team site and at the top on a communication site.

The main way to access files and folder in a document library is click the link to the appropriate library in the site menu. This will be in the left side of a Team Site or the top menu of a Communication site.

Member created document libraries appear in the menu as they are created and named

 

If you don't see the link to the document library, the menu has been customized to hide the library. Instead:

  1. From any page on the site, click the gear in the top left.
    the gear is to the left of the profile and help icons
  2. Select Site Contents from the dropdown menu.
    Site contents is the third option
  3. Your site contents will appear, including all document libraries.
    All document libraries are listed among other content.
  4. Click a document library to open it.
  1. Navigate to the Home page of your site.
  2. In the New dropdown menu in the top left, choose Document Library.
    New is to the left of page details and page analytics.
  3. In the panel that appears, choose Blank Library.
    Blank library is the first option
  4. Enter a name for your library.
    Enter a useful name
  5. Click Create. Your library now appears in the navigation bar by default.