As you manage your SharePoint environment, it’s essential to understand the difference between major and minor versions of the platform. Knowing how to navigate these different versions can help you control content effectively, leverage new features, and ensure a seamless user experience.
To enhance the core SharePoint versioning history features, check out the following custom developed SharePoint web parts and then read more about major and minor version best practices and features below.
Version History Manager Web Part
The Version History web part displays all versions of a file.
Version Comparison Web Part
The Version Comparison web part allows you to compare two versions of a document.
Version Batch Operations Web Part
The Batch Version Restore web part allows you to restore multiple files to previous versions at once.
Version Detailed Metadata Web Part
The Version Detailed Metadata web part displays detailed information about a specific version of a file.
Major Versions:
SharePoint typically releases new major versions every 2-3 years, which bring significant changes to the platform. These updates often introduce new features, improve performance, and enhance security. When a new major version is released, it’s essential to take the time to understand the changes and how they impact your existing environment.
Best Practice: Plan ahead for major version updates by:
- Monitoring release notes and documentation
- Testing new features in a sandbox environment before deploying them to production
- Training users on new features and workflows
- Ensuring compatibility with third-party integrations
Minor Versions:
SharePoint releases minor versions more frequently, typically every 6-12 months. These updates focus on bug fixes, performance improvements, and incremental feature enhancements.
Best Practice: For minor version updates:
- Prioritize patching critical security vulnerabilities
- Test new features in a controlled environment before deploying them to production
- Monitor release notes for any significant changes or deprecated features
Content Control:
Effective content control is crucial when managing different versions of SharePoint. Here are some best practices:
- Use site templates and site collections to organize content and standardize your environment
- Implement information architecture best practices to ensure easy navigation and discovery
- Utilize metadata and search functionality to categorize and find content quickly
Key Features to Leverage:
Each major and minor version of SharePoint introduces new features that can help you control content and enhance the user experience. Some key features to leverage include:
- Site designs: Create custom site templates for consistent branding and organization
- Columns and views: Customize lists and libraries with tailored columns and views
- Flow and Power Automate: Automate workflows and business processes using Microsoft’s workflow automation tools
Conclusion:
Understanding SharePoint major and minor versions is essential for effective content control and leveraging new features. By following best practices, you can ensure a seamless user experience, standardize your environment, and take advantage of the latest enhancements.