Creating a Form in SharePoint: A Step-by-Step Guide

SharePoint, a powerful collaboration and document management platform by Microsoft, allows users to create and customize forms for various purposes. Forms are essential tools for collecting data, feedback, and information from users in an organized and systematic manner. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of creating a form in SharePoint.

Step 1: Access SharePoint and Navigate to Your Desired Site

1. Open SharePoint: Launch your web browser and navigate to your SharePoint site. Log in with your credentials.
2. Choose the Site: Select the SharePoint site where you want to create the form. Click on the appropriate site in the SharePoint dashboard.

Step 2: Navigate to the Lists or Library Section

1. Access Settings: Once you are within your selected site, click on the settings gear icon (⚙) located in the top-right corner.
2. Select Site contents: From the dropdown menu, choose “Site contents.”
3. Create a New List or Library: Depending on your requirements, you can either create a new list or library. Lists are useful for simple forms, while libraries are better for forms with attachments or more complex data.

Step 3: Create a New List or Library

1. Click on New: In the “Site contents” page, click on “New.”
2. Select List or Library: Choose “List” or “Library” based on your requirements.
3. Fill in the Details: Enter a name for your list or library and provide a brief description.
4. Click Create: Click on the “Create” button to create the list or library.

Step 4: Customize the List or Library to Create a Form

1. Access List or Library Settings: After creating the list or library, click on the settings gear icon (⚙) and choose “List settings” or “Library settings” depending on what you created.
2. Customize Form: Under the “General Settings,” click on “Form settings.”
3. Choose Form Type: Select the radio button for the type of form you want: “Use the default SharePoint form” or “Use a custom form created in PowerApps.”
4. Save Changes: Click “OK” to save your changes.

Step 5: Customize the Form Using SharePoint Designer (Optional)

1. Download and Install SharePoint Designer: If you wish to customize the form further, you can download and install SharePoint Designer.
2. Open SharePoint Designer: Launch SharePoint Designer and connect to your SharePoint site.
3. Edit the Form: Navigate to the “Lists and Libraries” section, find your list or library, and edit the form using the designer.
4. Customize as Needed: Use the designer tools to customize the form fields, layout, and design to match your requirements.

Step 6: Test and Publish the Form

1. Navigate to the SharePoint Site: Go back to your SharePoint site and access the list or library where you created the form.
2. Access the Form: Click on “New” to access the form and test its functionality.
3. Publish the Form: If everything is working as expected, your form is ready to use. Users can now start filling out the form and submitting data.

Creating a form in SharePoint provides an efficient way to collect data and feedback within your organization. Whether it’s for employee surveys, event registrations, or any other purpose, SharePoint’s flexibility allows you to tailor forms to meet your specific needs. Follow this guide, and you’ll be on your way to creating and utilizing forms effectively within your SharePoint environment.