Creating a SharePoint site through Microsoft 365

You create a new SharePoint site by going to your Microsoft 365 home page, selecting the app launcher (the grid icon in the top left), and clicking SharePoint. From there, click the Create site button. You will choose between a Team site (connected to a Microsoft Teams group) or a Communication site (for sharing information one-way, like a company intranet page). The process takes a few minutes and does not require IT approval for most organizations.

The method you use depends on what you already have. If you are starting a new team in Microsoft Teams, SharePoint creates the site automatically — you do not need to do anything separate. If you want a standalone SharePoint site without Teams, or if you want a Communication site to broadcast information, you start from SharePoint directly.

Key Takeaways

  • Team sites are connected to Microsoft Teams and work best when a group of people need to collaborate on documents and projects together.
  • Communication sites are one-way information hubs designed for company announcements, news, or department information that many people read but few edit.
  • You can create a site yourself if your organization allows it, or request one from your IT department if creation is restricted.
  • After creation, you add members, upload documents, and customize the site layout — all done through the SharePoint interface without coding.

Team sites versus Communication sites

A Team site connects to a Microsoft Teams channel and is built for collaboration. Everyone in the team can upload files, edit documents together, and see what others are working on. Use a Team site when you have a group that needs shared storage and wants to work on the same projects. The site includes a document library (where files live), lists (for tracking tasks or data), and news posts.

A Communication site is designed for one-way sharing. One person or a small group publishes information, and many people read it. Use a Communication site for company announcements, a department homepage, or a project status board. Readers can comment but cannot edit the main content. Communication sites look more polished and are easier to navigate for large audiences.

If you are unsure which to pick, start with a Team site. You can always change the site type later, and Team sites are more flexible for most work.

Step-by-step: Creating a Team site

Open your web browser and go to office.com. Sign in with your work account. Click the app launcher (nine dots) in the top left corner and select SharePoint. On the SharePoint home page, click Create site.

Select Team site from the options. Enter a name for your site — this appears in the URL and in search results, so use something clear like "Marketing Projects" or "Product Development." Add a description (optional but helpful). Choose a language if your organization supports multiple languages. Click Next.

On the next screen, add members by typing their names or email addresses. You can add people now or do it later. Click Finish. SharePoint creates the site and a connected Teams channel within a few seconds. You will see a confirmation page with a link to your new site.

Step-by-step: Creating a Communication site

Go to office.com and sign in. Click the app launcher and select SharePoint. Click Create site and choose Communication site.

Pick a design template. SharePoint offers several layouts — Topic (for articles and news), Showcase (for images and visual content), and Blank (for custom layouts). The template controls how the site looks, but you can change it later. Click the template you want.

Enter a site name and description. Click Finish. Your Communication site is ready. You can now add pages, upload images, and write news posts. Unlike Team sites, Communication sites do not create a Teams channel automatically.

Adding members and setting permissions

After your site is created, you can add more people. Click the Share button in the top right corner of the site. Type the names or email addresses of people you want to add. Choose their permission level: Owner (can change site settings and delete the site), Member (can edit content), or Visitor (can only read).

For Team sites, you can also add members through the connected Teams channel. Open Teams, go to the team, click the three dots next to the team name, and select Add members. Changes in Teams sync to SharePoint automatically.

If your organization restricts who can create sites, you will see a message asking you to contact your IT department. In that case, submit a request through your company's IT portal or help desk. They will create the site for you and add you as the owner.

Uploading files and organizing content

Once your site exists, you can start adding files. On a Team site, click Documents in the left menu. Click Upload and select files from your computer, or drag files directly into the library. You can create folders to organize files by project, month, or topic.

For Communication sites, click Pages in the left menu to create new pages. Each page can hold text, images, videos, and links. You can also add a News section to post updates that appear on the site home page.

Both site types include a Lists section where you can track tasks, track inventory, or store any structured data. Click New and select List to create one from scratch or use a template.

Customizing your site

Click Edit in the top right to change how your site looks. You can add a site logo, change the color scheme, and rearrange sections on the home page. These changes are visual only and do not affect how files are stored or who can access them.

To change site settings (like the name, description, or who can create pages), click the gear icon in the top right and select Site settings. From there you can manage permissions, change the site language, or delete the site if needed.

Most customization does not require code or IT help. If you want advanced features like custom workflows or integrations with other apps, your IT department may need to set those up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change a Team site to a Communication site or vice versa?

You cannot convert between the two types directly. If you need to switch, create a new site of the correct type and copy your files over. For most situations, a Team site is flexible enough to work as a Communication site if you limit who can edit.

What happens if I delete a site?

Deleted Team sites go to a recycle bin for 93 days and can be restored. Communication sites can be restored for 30 days. After that, the site and all its files are permanently deleted. Always back up important files before deleting a site.

Do I need IT permission to create a SharePoint site?

It depends on your organization's settings. Some companies allow anyone to create sites; others restrict it to certain roles. If you see a message asking you to contact IT, your organization has restrictions in place. Submit a request through your IT department.

Can people outside my organization access my SharePoint site?

By default, no. Only people in your organization with a work account can see your site. Your IT department can configure external sharing if you need to work with contractors or partners, but this is not the default setting.

How much storage does a SharePoint site get?

Storage limits depend on your Microsoft 365 plan. Most organizations get 1 terabyte of storage per site, plus additional storage based on the number of users. Your IT department can tell you your organization's specific limits.