SharePoint Classic vs Modern [Key Differences and Upgrade Considerations]

SharePoint has evolved significantly since its inception. The platform now offers two distinct experiences: Classic and Modern. Classic SharePoint has been around for years, while Modern SharePoint represents a newer approach.

Modern SharePoint brings a fresh look and improved functionality. It features a more user-friendly interface, better mobile support, and easier customization options compared to its classic counterpart. This update aims to make SharePoint more accessible and efficient for users across different devices.

The shift from Classic to Modern SharePoint reflects Microsoft’s focus on cloud-based solutions. Modern SharePoint integrates smoothly with other Microsoft 365 apps, enhancing collaboration and productivity. While some organizations still use Classic SharePoint, many are moving to the modern experience to take advantage of its new features and ongoing updates.

Evolution of SharePoint

SharePoint has changed a lot since it first came out. It went from an old style to a new style. This shift happened as more people started using cloud services.

From Classic to Modern

Classic SharePoint used a nested site structure. Sites were like folders inside other folders. This made it hard to manage big groups of sites. The old look had lots of menus and was not easy to use on phones.

Modern SharePoint fixed these issues. It has a flat site structure. Each site stands on its own. The new look is simple and works well on all devices. Pages load faster and are easier to edit. Users can now add content quickly without needing special skills.

The Impact of Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 pushed SharePoint to change even more. It brought new tools that work with SharePoint. Teams, OneDrive, and other apps now connect smoothly.

This change made sharing and teamwork easier. Files sync across devices. People can work together on documents at the same time. The search function got better at finding information.

SharePoint is now a key part of Microsoft 365. It helps businesses work better in the cloud. Regular updates keep adding new features to make work easier and more productive.

Understanding SharePoint Experiences

SharePoint offers two main experiences: Classic and Modern. These differ in design, features, and user interaction.

Classic Experience Overview

The Classic SharePoint experience has been around for many years. It uses a traditional layout with a ribbon interface at the top. Classic sites allow deep customization through master pages and custom CSS.

They support complex site hierarchies with inherited navigation. Branding is done through site themes and alternate CSS. This gives organizations a lot of control over the look and feel.

Classic sites work well for companies that need specific layouts or functionality. They offer familiar tools for power users who are used to older versions of SharePoint.

Modern Experience Overview

The Modern SharePoint experience is newer and more user-friendly. It has a clean, responsive design that works well on mobile devices. Modern sites use web parts and page layouts for customization.

They focus on easy content creation and sharing. The interface is simpler, with a command bar instead of a ribbon. Modern sites connect through hub sites rather than hierarchies.

Branding in Modern SharePoint uses theme colors and site designs. This makes it easier to create a consistent look across sites. Modern pages load faster and offer better performance on different devices.

Architecture and Design

SharePoint’s classic and modern versions have distinct architectural approaches. These differences impact how sites are structured, connected, and navigated.

Information Architecture Differences

Classic SharePoint uses a hierarchical structure with site collections and subsites. This setup can be rigid and hard to change later. Modern SharePoint takes a flat approach. Each site is its own site collection. This makes it easier to move or reorganize sites as needs change.

Modern SharePoint encourages the use of hub sites. These act as central connection points for related sites. Hub sites can share navigation, themes, and search scope. This helps create a more flexible structure that can grow with an organization.

Classic sites often rely on custom master pages and CSS for branding. Modern sites use out-of-the-box themes and web parts. This simplifies site design and keeps sites looking good on different devices.

Site Collection and Hub Sites

In classic SharePoint, a site collection is a top-level container. Subsites nest under it in a hierarchy. Modern SharePoint does away with subsites. Each site is its own site collection.

Hub sites are a key feature of modern SharePoint. They group related sites together. A hub site can:

• Share navigation with member sites
• Apply common themes
• Roll up news and activities
• Extend search across all connected sites

This flat structure with hub sites offers more flexibility than the old hierarchy. Moving sites between hubs or making a site stand alone is easier.

Navigation and Usability

Classic SharePoint often has complex, multi-level navigation. This can be confusing on mobile devices. Modern SharePoint focuses on simpler, cleaner navigation. The top navigation bar is streamlined. Left-side navigation is consistent across sites.

Modern SharePoint is built to be mobile-friendly. Pages and web parts adjust to different screen sizes. This improves usability on phones and tablets. Classic sites may need custom work to look good on mobile devices.

The modern interface uses more white space and larger fonts. Buttons and links are sized for touch screens. These design choices make modern sites easier to use, especially for new users.

Core Components and Capabilities

SharePoint classic and modern experiences offer different tools for collaboration and content management. The key components include sites, lists, libraries, web parts, and search features.

Team Sites and Communication Sites

Team Sites focus on group collaboration. They let teams share files, data, news, and resources. Classic Team Sites use a hierarchical structure. Modern Team Sites have a flatter layout that’s easier to navigate.

Communication Sites are for sharing info across the organization. They work well for internal news and updates. These sites have a clean, mobile-friendly design. They use eye-catching layouts to showcase content.

Both site types support customization. Users can add web parts, change colors, and adjust layouts. Modern sites offer more flexibility in design without needing complex coding.

Lists, Libraries, and Web Parts

Lists store and manage data in SharePoint. Classic lists have a grid-like view. Modern lists offer column formatting and quick edit features. They also have better mobile views.

Libraries hold files and folders. Modern libraries have a cleaner look. They offer features like drag-and-drop file upload and easy file previews.

Web Parts are building blocks for pages. Classic Web Parts need more setup. Modern Web Parts are easier to add and customize. They include new options like news, events, and embedded video players.

Search Functionality

The classic search uses a separate page for results. It offers advanced filters but can be hard to use.

Modern search is faster and more user-friendly. It shows results as you type. The layout is cleaner and works well on mobile devices.

Both versions let users find files, sites, and people. Modern search adds features like personalized results based on user activity.

Search results in modern SharePoint are more visual. They include previews of files and content snippets.

Collaboration and Communication

SharePoint’s modern experience greatly updates how teams work together and share information. It offers new tools that make collaborating and communicating easier than ever before.

Collaboration Features in SharePoint

Modern SharePoint makes teamwork smoother with improved file sharing and co-authoring. Users can edit documents together in real-time, seeing each other’s changes instantly. Version history tracks all edits, so reviewing or rolling back changes is easy.

Teams can organize work in shared calendars, task lists, and project sites. Modern SharePoint connects seamlessly with other Microsoft 365 apps like Teams and OneDrive. This integration lets users chat, meet, and share files without switching between different tools.

SharePoint’s mobile apps give teams access to their work from anywhere. Users can view and edit files, check calendars, and get notifications on their phones or tablets.

Communication Site Capabilities

Communication sites in modern SharePoint make it simple to share news and updates across an organization. These sites have eye-catching designs that look great on all devices.

Admins can easily create and customize pages without coding. They can add text, images, videos, and web parts to build engaging content. News posts keep everyone informed about important events and announcements.

Communication sites support audience targeting. This means content can be shown only to specific groups, making sure the right people see relevant information. Sites can include social features like likes and comments to boost engagement.

Metrics help track how many people view and interact with content. This data helps teams improve their communication strategies over time.

Customization and Integration

SharePoint offers different customization and integration options for classic and modern experiences. These differences impact how organizations can extend and connect SharePoint with other tools.

Extending SharePoint with Customization

Classic SharePoint allows deep customization through custom master pages, page layouts, and web parts. This flexibility lets developers create highly tailored sites. But it can lead to complex, hard-to-maintain solutions.

Modern SharePoint uses a simpler approach. It focuses on web parts and extensions built with the SharePoint Framework. This makes customizations easier to create and update. It also ensures better performance and mobile compatibility.

Classic sites often need custom code for branding. Modern sites use out-of-the-box themes and designs. This reduces the need for custom development but limits design options.

Integration with Microsoft Apps and Services

Modern SharePoint works better with other Microsoft 365 apps. It connects smoothly with Teams, OneDrive, and Office apps. This makes sharing and collaboration easier.

Classic SharePoint can integrate with these tools too, but it’s not as seamless. Modern sites have built-in connections to Power Platform services like Power Apps and Power Automate. This lets users create custom forms, workflows, and apps without coding.

AI features are more common in modern SharePoint. They help with content suggestions, search, and data analysis. Classic sites have limited AI capabilities.

Both versions can use third-party tools, but modern SharePoint’s APIs make integrations simpler and more secure.

User Interface and User Experience

SharePoint’s modern experience significantly updates the look and feel compared to classic SharePoint. The new design focuses on simplicity, ease of use, and mobile-friendliness.

Design and Branding Elements

Modern SharePoint offers sleek, customizable designs. Users can change site colors and add logos quickly. The interface uses a clean layout with plenty of white space. This makes content easier to read and navigate.

Branding options are more limited than in classic SharePoint. Custom CSS and master pages are not supported. Instead, Microsoft provides new tools for site customization. These include theme generators and site design scripts.

Modern pages use a column-based layout system. This allows for flexible content arrangement. Users can add, remove, and reorder web parts easily.

Modern User Interface Features

The modern SharePoint interface has a fresh, contemporary look. Navigation is simpler and more intuitive. The command bar at the top of pages replaces the ribbon interface from classic SharePoint.

Modern lists and libraries have an updated appearance. They include features like in-line editing, drag-and-drop file uploads, and quick edit mode. These improvements make working with content faster and more efficient.

The modern SharePoint homepage offers a personalized view. It shows recent and popular content, news, and quick links. Users can customize their homepage to show the information most relevant to them.

Responsive Pages and Mobile Access

Modern SharePoint pages are fully responsive. They adjust automatically to different screen sizes. This ensures a consistent experience across devices, from desktop computers to smartphones.

The mobile app for SharePoint provides easy access on the go. Users can view, edit, and share content from their phones or tablets. The app includes features like offline access to recent documents.

Mobile notifications keep users updated on important changes. They can receive alerts about new content, comments, or mentions. This helps teams stay connected and productive, even when working remotely.

Performance and Security

SharePoint Modern offers significant improvements in speed and safety compared to Classic. Users benefit from faster page loads and stronger protection for their data and content.

Site Speed and Performance Enhancements

Modern SharePoint sites load much quicker than Classic ones. Pages display faster, especially on mobile devices. This means less waiting for users as they navigate the site.

The modern interface uses a simplified layout. It cuts down on unnecessary elements. This streamlined design helps pages load more efficiently.

Modern SharePoint also handles large file uploads better. Users can move big or many files simultaneously without slowing down the system.

Security Measures and Compliance

Microsoft has built stronger security into Modern SharePoint. It uses the latest encryption methods to protect data. This keeps information safe from unauthorized access.

Modern sites integrate with other Microsoft security tools. This gives admins more control over who can see and edit content.

SharePoint Modern makes it easier to follow data privacy rules. It has features to help companies meet legal requirements for storing and sharing information.

New security updates roll out faster on Modern sites. This helps protect against the latest online threats more quickly than on Classic SharePoint.

Migration and Adoption

Moving from classic to modern SharePoint brings new features and better user experiences. Organizations need a plan to switch and help staff adjust to the changes.

Transitioning from Classic to Modern

Site Migration is a key step in moving to modern SharePoint. Teams should audit their classic sites and decide what content to move. Not everything needs to transfer – it’s a chance to clean up old files.

Modern sites have different layouts and tools. Web parts may need updates to work in the new system. Testing is crucial to make sure important features still function after the move.

Some classic elements like custom CSS and master pages don’t work in modern SharePoint. New options for branding exist, but they’re simpler. Companies should plan how to keep their look and feel in the modern version.

Adoption Strategies for Organizations

A smooth switch to modern SharePoint needs good planning. Clear communication helps staff understand why the change is happening and how it will help them.

Training is vital for a successful move to the Modern Workplace. Short videos or quick guide sheets can teach new features. Hands-on practice sessions let staff try the new tools safely.

Having champions in each team can boost adoption. These workers learn the system well and help their coworkers. They can share tips and solve small issues quickly.

Tracking usage shows which new features people like. It also reveals areas where more training might help. Regular check-ins with staff can find any problems early.

SharePoint Classic vs Modern – Summary

SharePoint has evolved from its classic version to a modern experience. Here’s a comparison of key differences:

Feature	Classic SharePoint	Modern SharePoint
Design	Traditional interface	Clean, responsive layout
Customization	Extensive options	Limited but user-friendly
Mobile	Less optimized	Fully mobile-responsive
Speed	Slower performance	Faster load times
Branding	Themes, CSS, master pages	New branding methods
Site structure	Subsite architecture	Flat site structure

Modern SharePoint offers improved user experience and simpler customization. It loads faster and works better on mobile devices.

Classic SharePoint provides more detailed customization options. It uses a familiar hierarchical site structure that some users prefer.

The choice between classic and modern depends on specific business needs. Organizations should consider their requirements and long-term goals when deciding which version to use.

Microsoft continues to develop the modern experience. This suggests it may become the primary SharePoint option in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

SharePoint Classic and Modern have key differences in features, design, and functionality. Users often have questions about migrating between versions and their relative advantages.

Conclusion

SharePoint’s evolution from classic to modern brings significant changes. The modern experience offers a more user-friendly interface and improved mobile access. It also provides better integration with other Microsoft 365 apps.

Classic SharePoint relied on sub-sites and complex customization. Modern SharePoint uses a flatter structure with independent sites. This new approach makes organization and navigation easier for users.

Branding options have changed, too. While the SharePoint classic experience allows extensive customization, modern offers simpler theming tools. These new options help maintain a consistent look across sites with less technical work.

The choice between classic and modern depends on each organization’s needs. Some may prefer classic for its familiar layout and existing customizations. Others may opt for modern to take advantage of new features and improved usability.

As Microsoft continues to invest in the modern experience, it’s worth considering a transition. Organizations should weigh the benefits against potential challenges. Planning and user training are key for a smooth switch to modern SharePoint.