Working with Documents in SharePoint
Opening, editing, uploading, and managing files in your committee's SharePoint site.
Opening a document
Select your device:
- Go to the SharePoint site and navigate to the document library (usually called Documents in the left panel).
- Click the document name to open it.
- It will open in Word Online (or Excel, PowerPoint Online) in your browser. No software needs to be installed.
- To open in the desktop Word app instead, click Editing at the top and select Open in Desktop App.
- Navigate to the SharePoint site in the SharePoint app or in Safari.
- Tap the document name to open it.
- It will open in the relevant Microsoft app (Word, Excel, or PowerPoint) if you have it installed. If not, it opens in your browser.
- Navigate to the SharePoint site in the SharePoint app or Chrome.
- Tap the document to open it.
- It will open in the relevant Microsoft app if installed, or in your browser.
Editing a document
Once a document is open in Word Online (or Excel Online, etc.), you can start typing and editing straight away. Changes are saved automatically every few seconds.
You will see a "Saved" indicator at the top of the screen when your changes have been saved. There is no need to press Ctrl+S or click Save.
If two people open the same document at the same time, you can both edit it simultaneously. Each person's changes appear in real time.
Uploading a file
Select your device:
Drag and drop:
- Open the document library in SharePoint.
- Drag the file from your computer and drop it into the document library area in your browser.
Upload button:
- Open the document library.
- Click Upload in the top toolbar.
- Select Files and choose the file from your computer.
- Open the SharePoint site in the app or in Safari.
- Navigate to the document library.
- Tap the Upload button (or the + icon).
- Choose the file from your Files app or Photos.
- Open the SharePoint site in the app or Chrome.
- Navigate to the document library.
- Tap the Upload or + button.
- Choose the file from your device storage.
Creating a new document inside SharePoint
Select your device:
- Open the document library in SharePoint.
- Click New in the top toolbar.
- Choose the type of document — Word document, Excel workbook, PowerPoint presentation, etc.
- A new file opens in the browser. Give it a name by clicking on "Document" (or similar) at the top.
- Start typing. The file is saved directly into SharePoint.
- Open the SharePoint document library.
- Tap the + button.
- Choose New document and select the type.
- Give the file a name and start editing.
Version history
SharePoint keeps a history of every saved version of a document. If a mistake was made, you can restore an earlier version.
To view version history (desktop browser only):
- In the document library, right-click on the file name.
- Select Version history.
- A panel will open showing previous versions with dates and who made each change.
- Click a version to preview it, or click Restore to make that version the current one.