Browsing Document Libraries

A SharePoint library is, in essence, a list of files. However, SharePoint libraries not only store files, but provide a flexible collaboration environment for you and your team to work on these files.

A SharePoint library page lists each file in the library as well as its properties and provides a link to each file. By default, the team site comes with a built-in document library named Shared Documents that is listed on the Quick Launch bar.

In addition to the Shared Documents library, you can create your own document, picture, and form libraries when necessary. When creating a new library, you can choose to place a link to this library on the Quick Launch bar.

For more information on working with documents in document libraries, refer to Chapter 5, “Creating and Managing Libraries.” For more information on configuring document libraries, refer to Chapter 6, “Working with Library Settings.”

In this exercise, you will view a list of all SharePoint libraries that exist on your site. You will then navigate to a Shared Documents library.

OPEN the SharePoint site in which you’d like to view the list of existing libraries. If prompted, type your user name and password, and then click OK.

1. On the Quick Launch, click Documents.

The All Site Content page opens in the Document Libraries view. This view shows links to all existing document and form libraries.

2. Click a link, such as Shared Documents. The Shared Documents page appears.

Notice the global navigation breadcrumb displayed at the top left of the page and the content navigation breadcrumb above the page title.

3. On the Shared Documents page, view the list of files in this library.

In this example, the team members of Wide World Importers have not put any documents in this library as yet.

4. To return to the site’s home page, click its tab on the top link bar.

CLOSE Internet Explorer.