check before: 2025-06-01
Product:
SharePoint
Platform:
Online, US Instances, Web, World tenant
Status:
In development
Change type:
Links:
Details:
The site header and footer are key elements of the SharePoint user interface, playing a vital role in navigation, brand expression, and overall user experience. To better align with today’s design standards and customer expectations, we’re introducing a full visual upgrade of the SharePoint site header and footer. This upgrade delivers a more cohesive and contemporary look while offering new preset layouts and enhanced customization options. Organizations will be able to tailor these elements to better reflect their brand identity, improve usability, and create a more engaging, connected experience for employees.
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability, Targeted Release
Created:
2025-05-02
updated:
2025-05-02
Docu to Check
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MS workload name
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summary for non-techies**
SharePoint is updating its header and footer sections with a visual upgrade, new preset layouts, and enhanced customization options to improve usability, align with current design trends, and better reflect brand identity.
Direct effects for Operations**
User Interface Disruption
A sudden change in the header and footer design may confuse users, leading to navigation difficulties and decreased productivity as they adapt to the new layout.
- roles: End Users, Content Managers
- references: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2021/01/25/the-importance-of-user-experience-in-website-design/, https://www.nngroup.com/articles/ux-design/
Brand Misalignment
Without proper preparation, the new header and footer may not align with the organization's branding guidelines, leading to a disjointed user experience and potential brand damage.
- roles: Marketing Team, Brand Managers
- references: https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2018/01/branding-ux-design/, https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2020/01/30/the-importance-of-branding-in-ux-design/
Training and Support Overload
Users may require additional training and support to navigate the new interface, overwhelming IT support teams and leading to longer resolution times for other issues.
- roles: IT Support Staff, Training Coordinators
- references: https://www.cio.com/article/243828/how-to-prepare-your-it-team-for-a-major-software-change.html, https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-train-employees-on-new-software/
Configutation Options**
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Opportunities**
Enhanced User Engagement through Customization
The new header and footer enhancements allow organizations to customize their SharePoint sites more effectively. This can lead to increased user engagement as employees can find information more easily and navigate the site more intuitively, thus improving productivity.
- next-steps: Conduct workshops with key stakeholders to gather feedback on desired customization options and develop a plan for implementation.
- roles: Marketing Team, UX/UI Designers, IT Administrators
- references: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint, https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2021/06/07/how-sharepoint-can-improve-employee-engagement/
Brand Consistency and Identity
The visual upgrade enables organizations to reflect their brand identity consistently across the SharePoint platform. This not only enhances the user experience but also reinforces brand values and culture within the organization.
- next-steps: Develop brand guidelines for SharePoint customization and collaborate with branding teams to ensure alignment with overall marketing strategies.
- roles: Brand Managers, Marketing Team, IT Administrators
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2021/06/02/sharepoint-header-and-footer-customization/, https://www.smartsheet.com/content/how-to-create-a-brand-identity
Improved Navigation and Usability
With the introduction of new preset layouts, the navigation experience can be significantly improved. Users will find it easier to locate resources, which can lead to reduced time spent searching for information and increased efficiency.
- next-steps: Analyze current navigation challenges through user feedback and analytics, then develop a strategy to implement the new layouts effectively.
- roles: IT Administrators, UX/UI Designers, Project Managers
- references: https://www.nngroup.com/articles/ux-design-sharepoint/, https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-improve-sharepoint-navigation/
Potentional Risks**
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IT Security**
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explanation for non-techies**
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** AI generated content. This information must be reviewed before use.
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Last updated 3 weeks ago
