A flexible section in SharePoint lets you design pages freely. It helps make pages look lively and interesting. You can add text, pictures, and web parts anywhere you like. Resize, stack, and style items to fit your ideas easily. You don’t have to follow the usual column layouts. To make one, add a new section, pick the flexible option, and start adding your content and designs.
Key Takeaways
Go to edit mode to use creative tools. Click Edit on your SharePoint page to begin designing.
Pick the flexible section to avoid fixed layouts. This lets you organize content in fun and creative ways.
Add web parts for things like text and pictures. Click the plus sign in your flexible section to see options.
Make your design easy to use. Add clear menus and show key details to keep people interested.
Check your page on phones and tablets. Make sure your flexible section looks good and works well on all screens.
Creating a Flexible Section in SharePoint
Accessing Edit Mode
To start making a flexible section, you must go to the edit mode of your SharePoint page. This mode lets you change and adjust the page layout. Follow these simple steps to enter edit mode:
Go to the SharePoint page you want to edit.
Find the Edit button, usually in the top-right corner.
Click it to open the page for editing.
When in edit mode, the page becomes clickable and adjustable. You can now add, move, or change sections and web parts. This step is key to unlocking the creative features of a flexible section.
Tip: If you can’t find the Edit button, check if you have permission to edit the page. Ask your SharePoint admin for help if needed.
Adding a New Section
After entering edit mode, the next step is to add a new section. This section will be the base for your flexible design. Here’s how to do it:
Look for the plus icon (+) on the page. It shows up when you hover over a section or at the bottom of the page.
Click the icon to see the section options menu.
Choose Add a new section from the menu.
You’ll now see different layout choices, like one-column, two-column, and vertical sections. This menu also has the flexible section option, which we’ll explain next.
Case Study Insight: Research shows flexible sections in SharePoint help teams work better. For example:
Selecting the Flexible Section Option
Now that you’ve added a section, it’s time to pick the flexible section option. This feature lets you break away from fixed layouts and design freely. Follow these steps:
In the section layout menu, find the Flexible Section option. It’s often marked as “new” to show its special features.
Click on the flexible section to add it to your page.
Use the toolbox on the right side to explore web parts you can add.
The flexible section lets you drag and drop web parts anywhere inside it. You can resize, stack, and arrange items to make a creative and eye-catching layout.
Choosing the flexible section gives you a great tool to build modern and dynamic SharePoint pages.
Saving and Publishing Changes
After you finish your flexible section, save and publish it. This makes your work visible to others. SharePoint makes this process simple. Follow these steps to complete your page:
Save Your Work Click Save as draft after editing. This saves your changes as a minor version. Only users with edit permissions can see the draft. General viewers won’t see it yet. Save often to avoid losing your work.
Preview Your Page Use Preview to check how your page looks before publishing. This helps you spot and fix any layout or content issues.
Publish Your Page When happy with your design, click Publish. This makes the page live for all viewers. Publishing locks the page, stopping edits until it’s checked out again.
Tip: Made a mistake after publishing? Go back to edit mode, fix it, and republish.
Process Overview
Knowing the steps for saving and publishing helps you manage pages better. Here’s a summary:
These steps keep your flexible section safe and editable until it’s ready to share.
By following these steps, you can save and publish your flexible section easily. This ensures your SharePoint page looks great and works well.
Customizing a Flexible Section
Adding Web Parts
Web parts are the building blocks of your flexible section. They allow you to add content like text, images, videos, and more. To add web parts, follow these steps:
Click the plus icon (+) inside your flexible section.
Browse the toolbox that appears on the right side of your screen.
Select the type of web part you want, such as text, image, or video.
Click on the web part to add it to your section.
Once added, you can move the web part freely within the section. This flexibility lets you create unique layouts that suit your content. For example, you can place an image next to a text box or stack multiple elements to create a layered design.
Tip: Use the search bar in the toolbox to quickly find the web part you need. This saves time and keeps your workflow smooth.
Resizing and Positioning Web Parts
After adding web parts, you can resize and position them to fit your design. This step gives you control over how your content looks and feels. Here’s how you can do it:
Resizing Web Parts Click on the web part you want to resize. Drag the handles that appear around it to make it larger or smaller. For example, you can shrink an image to fit next to text or enlarge it to fill the section.
Positioning Web Parts Drag and drop the web part to move it anywhere within the flexible section. You can place it in the center, align it to the left, or even overlap it with other elements. This free-form positioning helps you create visually engaging layouts.
Note: Use the alignment guides that appear while dragging to ensure your web parts are properly aligned. This keeps your design neat and professional.
Applying Backgrounds and Styles
The background and style options in a flexible section let you enhance its visual appeal. You can add colors, textures, or images to make your section stand out. Follow these steps to customize the background:
Click on the section settings (gear icon) in the top-left corner of the flexible section.
Choose the Background option from the menu.
Select a preset color, texture, or upload an image using a URL.
You can also style individual web parts by adjusting their fonts, colors, and shapes. For instance, you can change the font size of a text web part or apply a circular crop to an image.
Example: Add a light-colored background to highlight text or use a bold image to create a striking header. Experiment with different styles to find what works best for your content.
By customizing backgrounds and styles, you can transform a simple flexible section into a visually dynamic part of your SharePoint page.
Managing Components in a Flexible Section
Moving Web Parts
You can move web parts to change your page layout. This helps you design a page that works for you. Follow these steps to move web parts:
Click the web part you want to move.
Drag it to where you want it in the section.
Let go of the mouse to place it there.
Flexible sections use a grid, so you can place items anywhere. You don’t have to stick to fixed columns. You can also resize web parts while moving them to fit better.
Tip: Alignment guides appear when dragging. Use them to keep your layout neat.
Grouping and Stacking Items
You can group or stack items to make layouts easier. Grouping combines items into one unit. Stacking lets you decide which item goes on top. Here’s how to do it:
To Group Items Hold Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) and click each item. Then, click Group in the toolbar. Now, you can move or resize them together.
To Stack Items Right-click an item and choose Bring to Front or Send to Back. This changes the order of overlapping items.
Flexible sections let you overlap and resize items for creative designs. For example, you can put text over an image or stack items for layers. Mobile-friendly tools make sure your design looks good on small screens.
Note: Grouping makes editing easier. Move or resize grouped items without messing up their layout.
Deleting or Swapping Items
Sometimes, you’ll need to delete or swap web parts. SharePoint makes this simple:
Hover over the web part you want to delete.
Click the Delete icon (trash can).
To swap, delete the old web part and add a new one from the toolbox.
This lets you update your page easily. Try different web parts and layouts without worrying about mistakes.
Pro Tip: Save your work as a draft before big changes. This way, you can go back if needed.
By learning these steps, you can manage flexible sections well. This helps you build creative and user-friendly SharePoint pages.
Best Practices for Using Flexible Sections
Designing for User Engagement
To make your SharePoint page interesting, focus on user engagement. A good flexible section helps users find and enjoy your content. Try these tips to improve your design:
Keep Navigation Simple: Arrange web parts in a clear, easy-to-follow order. Group similar items together to avoid clutter.
Make Important Info Stand Out: Use bold text, bigger fonts, or bright colors to highlight key points. For example, place a call-to-action button where it’s easy to see.
Ask for Feedback: Get opinions from your team to learn what works best. A survey of 743 Herbalife India employees showed feedback improved their intranet design.
Pro Tip: Keep your layout clean and simple. A neat design makes users want to explore your page.
Ensuring Mobile Responsiveness
Flexible sections work great when they adjust to all devices. Many people use SharePoint on phones, so mobile-friendly design is a must. Follow these steps to make your page mobile-ready:
Use Big Buttons: Make sure buttons are easy to tap on touchscreens.
Simplify Menus: Create menus that are easy to use on small screens.
Test on Devices: Check how your page looks on phones and tablets.
Mobile-friendly designs are helpful for flexible work setups. Clear menus and well-sized buttons help users find what they need quickly, improving productivity.
Did You Know? A mobile-friendly intranet keeps employees happy and engaged, even when they’re on the move.
Leveraging Templates for Efficiency
Templates save time and give you a head start on designs. SharePoint has ready-made flexible section templates you can tweak to fit your needs. Here’s how to use them well:
Pick the Right Template: Choose one that fits your goal, like a welcome banner or product showcase.
Make It Your Own: Change text, images, and layouts to match your style. Templates let you move and resize items easily.
Try Different Layouts: Experiment with templates to see what works best for your audience.
Templates make designing faster and spark new ideas. They help you create polished pages without starting from scratch.
Quick Tip: Use templates as a starting point, but add your own style to make them unique.
By using these tips, you can design flexible sections that are engaging, mobile-friendly, and easy to create. This ensures your SharePoint pages look great and meet your audience’s needs.
Making and personalizing flexible sections in SharePoint opens up creative options. You can easily add a section, choose the flexible type, and decorate it with web parts, colors, and designs. Trying out different layouts helps you make pages that look unique and exciting.
Start using flexible sections now. They let you build fun, modern pages that grab attention and improve your SharePoint experience.
FAQ
How do I find the flexible section option in SharePoint?
Look for the plus icon (+) to add a section. Click it, then choose "Flexible Section" from the menu. This option is listed with layouts like one-column and two-column sections.
Can I use templates in flexible sections?
Yes, SharePoint has templates for flexible sections. Pick one that fits your needs. You can change it by moving, resizing, or swapping web parts. Templates help you start quickly with creative designs.
Are flexible sections good for mobile devices?
Flexible sections fit all screen sizes automatically. Use alignment guides to keep your layout neat. Test your page on phones and tablets to make sure it looks great everywhere. Mobile-friendly pages improve user experience.
What web parts can I add to a flexible section?
You can add text, pictures, videos, buttons, and more. Click the plus icon (+) inside the section to open the toolbox. Pick a web part and drag it into your section.
How do I remove or replace a web part in a flexible section?
Hover over the web part you want to remove. Click the trash can icon to delete it. To replace it, add a new web part from the toolbox. This keeps your layout fresh and organized.
