How to Create a Subsite in SharePoint?

Honestly, I do not recommend creating a subsite in SharePoint unless it is very much essential for your SharePoint site structure. Still, you can follow this tutorial in case you need to create a subsite in SharePoint Online.

What is a SharePoint Subsite?

A subsite in SharePoint is essentially a child site that exists underneath a parent SharePoint site, inheriting certain properties while maintaining its own unique content and purpose within the organization’s SharePoint environment.

There is technically no fundamental difference between a SharePoint site and a subsite in terms of functionality; they both can contain the same elements, such as libraries, lists, and pages. The key difference is their position in the hierarchy.

A SharePoint subsite is a hierarchical structure that allows you to organize content within your SharePoint environment. SharePoint subsites don’t appear in the SharePoint admin center by default – you need to navigate to the parent site first to access them.

Create a Subsite in SharePoint

Now, let us see how to create a subsite in SharePoint. You can create it from the Site Settings or Site Contents page of a SharePoint Online site.

Note: By default, the Site administrators or Site owners can create a subsite. But, as a site member, you should have at least  "Edit permission". Also, you can create up to 2000 sub sites per a site.

Create a Subsite in SharePoint Online from Site Contents

Let’s see how to create a SharePoint Online subsite from the site contents page. First, open the SharePoint site where you want to create a subsite.

To do so, follow the steps below.

1. Open your SharePoint Site Home page -> Click on the Site contents option [From Site navigation or Inside the Settings window, like below.

2. Next, expand the ‘+ New tab‘ on the Site Contents page and select the Subsite option.

3. On the New SharePoint Site page, provide the following information. Such as:
   • Title: Provide the subsite name
   • Description: It is optional
   • URL name: You must provide or give the URL name
   • Select a Language: By default, English is selected, and you can change it as needed.
   • Select a template: Choose a template that suits your requirements.
   • User Permissions: It will give two permissions, i.e.,
     • Use the same permission as the parent site,
     • Use unique permissions
   • Navigation: You can select the navigation like “Display as Quick Launch or Top Link”
   • Click on the Create button.

4. Once your subsite is created, you will get the subsite [HR] under the Subsites page as in the screenshot below.

5. Whenever the user clicks on the new subsite, it will give a pop-up window [Next steps] where we can get the information below. Such as:
   • Apply a site template: You can quickly enhance your site using a scenario-specific site template
   • Upload files: To collaborate on shared content with your team
   • Post news: You can communicate with your team by sharing updates and announcements
   • Change the look: You can customize the look of the site by updating the theme and logo

This is one way to create a subsite in SharePoint.

Check out SharePoint Site Left Navigation or Quick Launch

Create a Subsite in SharePoint from Site Settings

Alternatively, we can also create a subsite in SharePoint Online from the Site Settings page. To achieve it, follow the steps below. Such as:

1. On the Site Home page -> Click on the Gear icon and select the Site information -> Click on View all site settings.

2. On the Site Settings page -> Select Sites and workspaces option [To review and create subsites and workspaces] under the Site Administration section, as shown below.

3. Next, on the Sites and Workspaces window, you will get the Create option to create a new subsite and the Sites option to get the existing subsites.

4. Now, click on the Create button and provide the information as I mentioned in the above section. But, here I select “Use unique permissions” and Display this site on the Quick Launch of the Parent site as shown below. Then, click on the Create button.

5. Once you click the Create button, it will redirect you to the Set Up Groups for this Site page, where you can assign Visitors, Members, and Owners for this subsite and click the OK button.

6. Now you will get the created Subsite [Sales] inside the Subsites page and the Site navigation like below,

7. Finally, click on the specific subsite; it will appear like the screenshot below.

This is another way to create a subsite in SharePoint.

I hope you now learn what a subsite is in SharePoint and how to create a subsite in SharePoint. Do let me know if you still have any questions.

Also, you may also like the following tutorials:

• Share SharePoint Site with External Users
• How to Delete SharePoint Site?
• How to Get SharePoint Online Site ID
• How To Create Custom Site Template In SharePoint Online?