Struggling to update outdated content or fix a broken layout on your SharePoint site? Don’t worry. Today, I’ll answer all these and related queries. So, here, you’ll learn how to edit a SharePoint page step by step to make your pages look more professional and manageable.
Let’s explore:
Quick Answer
To edit a SharePoint page:
- Open your site and the page to update.
- Click Edit.
- Modify text, images, or web parts directly in the canvas.
- Save as a draft to review later or publish to go live.
You can also ask Copilot to draft or refine content before publishing.
Why Updating Pages Matters
With over 12 years of experience as a SharePoint administrator, I am well aware that even minor changes, such as updating a date or refreshing an image, can make a page more engaging for users.
Plus, when you regularly update your pages:
- Your team always has the latest information.
- Colleagues rely on SharePoint when they know it’s current.
- Updated visuals and layouts align with your organisation’s identity.
- Search results perform better.
So, by keeping your SharePoint pages updated, you ensure they remain a trusted resource for your team. Next, I’ll share how to do so.
Related guide: SharePoint Site vs Page
How to Edit a SharePoint Page (Step by Step)
Editing a SharePoint page is a time-consuming but necessary task to make it professional and effective for internal or external users. But, many times, users ask me how I can automate updating, or if it is possible to modify a SharePoint page automatically.
The answer to these questions, I’ll give you here. So, yes, you can easily edit multiple pages without any manual effort via Copilot.
Microsoft 365 Copilot now works with SharePoint to make repetitive manual tasks automatic to save time. Additionally, with this, you can update several pages simultaneously. Here’s how to edit a SharePoint page using it:
- Ask Copilot to replace outdated links or text across multiple pages at once.
- Use it to adjust layouts or refresh sections automatically.
- Always review pages afterwards to keep branding and layout consistent.
- For detailed edits or visual improvements, use SharePoint’s page editor directly.
Using Copilot for repetitive tasks and manual editing for final touches saves time. So, let’s have a quick look at the manual steps to make your page more professional:
Before moving to how to edit a SharePoint page, make sure:
- You have Edit permissions, i.e. Site Owner or Member access.
- Working on a modern page.
- Versioning is on, so you can roll back changes if needed.
After validating these three mandatory points, follow the steps below, step-by-step instructions:
#Step 1. Open & Enter Edit Mode
- Open your site’s Site Pages library or navigation menu.
- Click the page title, then hit Edit.
- If the Edit button is missing, check your SharePoint Online permissions.
#Step 2. Update Content
- Text: Click directly in a text web part. Use the toolbar for headings, bullets, and links.
- Images or Videos: Hit +, upload or select media, and add alt text.
- Web Parts: Add or remove web parts using + Add a new web part, then drag to rearrange them.
#Step 3. Adjust Layout
- Use section handles to add or change columns.
- Columns stack on mobile, preview to ensure it still looks good.
#Step 4. Preview & Save
- Check both desktop and mobile views.
- Keep edits private for later review or approvals.
- Make your changes live.
That’s all, now you have a proper understanding of how to edit a SharePoint page automatically and manual steps for the final touch.
Make Pages Easy to Find and Read
I always:
- Add a page description and thumbnail for search and news feeds.
- Use headings (H2, H3) for a clear structure.
- Include alt text and descriptive file names for accessibility.
- Link to related resources, like how to backup SharePoint to local storage, or map SharePoint online as Network Drive, to keep users exploring.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
While modifying the SharePoint pages, users experienced some issues. So, I don’t want you to face the same; that’s why, here is the proper insight into the problems and their fixes:
- Where is the Edit button?
Request edit access or check if the page is locked.
- Why won’t my formatting save?
Clear cache or re-save as a draft.
- Why was Page locked/checked out?
Wait for the lock to expire or restore via Version history.
- How to undo a mistake?
Open the Version history and revert to an earlier version.
Author’s Verdict
Editing SharePoint pages isn’t complicated once you understand the workflow. By using Copilot and manual step-by-step instructions, I keep my team’s intranet professional and engaging.
In this discussion, I shared my experiences on how to edit a SharePoint page hassle-free in minutes. So, please follow all the guidelines mentioned in this guide to get the expected results, without facing any errors.
People Also Ask
- Why can’t I edit a SharePoint page?
A. You may not have edit permissions. Ask a site owner to check permissions or release the page lock. - How do I revert changes after editing the SharePoint page?
A. Open Version history, select an earlier version, and click Restore. - Can Copilot create a page for me?
A. Yes, Copilot can generate or refine content and even suggest layouts.