How to Access and Navigate SharePoint Sites for Beginners

Welcome to another Microsoft SharePoint class.

In this session, I will show you how to access and navigate SharePoint sites in Microsoft 365. Many new users sign in successfully but often get confused when they need to find their Team Sites, Communication Sites, or return to the SharePoint start page.

The good news is that SharePoint provides a central location where you can view all sites you have permission to access. Once you understand the navigation, finding documents, departments, and team workspaces becomes much easier.

Need Help with SharePoint Implementation?
If your organization wants to improve collaboration, permissions, or document management, a SharePoint Services Provider can help create a structured environment aligned with your business needs.

Stay with me throughout this class because I will show you how new users can log in, open SharePoint, switch between sites, and return to the main landing page whenever needed.

What You Will Learn

• Sign in to Microsoft 365
• Open SharePoint Online
• Access Team Sites and Communication Sites
• Navigate between multiple SharePoint sites
• Return to the SharePoint start page
• Understand what appears based on user permissions

Before We Start

Before following this class, make sure you have:

• A Microsoft 365 account
• SharePoint Online access
• Valid login credentials
• Permission to access your organization's sites

Step By Step Guide to Access SharePoint Sites

Watch the complete class below and follow each step inside your own environment.

Quick Navigation Summary

Step 1: Sign In to Microsoft 365

Open your browser and go to: "login.microsoftonline.com"

Enter:

• Your email address
• Password
• Click Sign In
• Select Yes when prompted

After successful authentication, Microsoft 365 will open.

Step 2: Open SharePoint from Apps

After signing in:

• Open the App Launcher
• Locate Microsoft apps
• Search for SharePoint
• Click SharePoint

You will now reach the SharePoint landing page.

Step 3: View the SharePoint Landing Page

The landing page acts as the starting point for all your SharePoint sites.

Here you can see:

• Team sites
• Communication sites
• Recent sites
• Frequently used sites
• Sites you have access to

Different users may see different sites because permissions determine what is visible.

Step 4: Open Team Sites

Select any Team Site from the landing page.

Inside a Team Site, you can access:

• Shared documents
• Department folders
• Lists
• Team resources
• Project files

Team Sites are commonly used for collaboration between departments and project teams.

Step 5: Open Communication Sites

Communication Sites are mainly designed to share information across the organization.

These sites usually contain:

• Company announcements
• News and updates
• Policies
• Internal resources
• Homepages

Unlike Team Sites, Communication Sites focus more on publishing information rather than collaboration.

Step 6: Return to the SharePoint Start Page

Whenever you want to switch sites:

• Click the SharePoint icon
• Return to the Start Page
• View all available sites again
• Open another Team Site or Communication Site

This makes navigation easier when working across multiple departments.

Team Site vs Communication Site

Tips for New SharePoint Users

I usually recommend these practices:

• Bookmark frequently used sites
• Use the SharePoint start page to switch between sites
• Verify your permissions if a site is missing
• Keep documents organized inside libraries
• Use search when you cannot locate a site
• Follow important sites for quicker access

Common Problems and Quick Fixes

Problem 1: SharePoint Site Is Missing

Check:

• Your permissions
• Whether the site has been shared with you
• If you are signed in with the correct account

Problem 2: Cannot Find SharePoint

Try:

• Opening the App Launcher
• Searching for SharePoint
• Accessing it from Microsoft 365 home page

Problem 3: Cannot Access a Site

Verify:

• User permissions
• Membership in the team
• Internet connectivity

Final Class Notes

Today I showed you how to access and navigate SharePoint sites in Microsoft 365.

Once you become familiar with the SharePoint start page, navigating between sites becomes simple and much more productive.

See you in the next Microsoft SharePoint class.

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