SharePoint Interview Questions And Answers

If you are looking for a SharePoint developer job, then check out these SharePoint interview questions and answers. I have written these SharePoint interview questions and detailed answers. There are questions on both SharePoint on-premises and SharePoint Online that cover both SharePoint admin and developers.

SharePoint Interview Questions And Answers

Now, check the list of SharePoint interview questions and answers.

1. What is SharePoint, and why do organizations use SharePoint?

Answer: SharePoint is a web-based collaboration and document management platform developed by Microsoft. It is part of the Microsoft 365 suite and provides various apps to help organizations create, store, share, and manage content and information. SharePoint can be used to build intranet portals, document management systems, collaboration spaces, and more.

Why Organizations Use SharePoint:

1. Collaboration: SharePoint facilitates seamless collaboration among team members by providing shared workspaces, document libraries, and tools for real-time co-authoring. This helps teams work together more effectively, regardless of their physical location.
2. Document Management: SharePoint offers document management capabilities, including version control, metadata tagging, and advanced search functionality. These features help organizations manage their documents efficiently and ensure users can quickly find the information they need.
3. Intranet and Communication: Organizations use SharePoint to create intranet portals where employees can access company news, announcements, policies, and resources. This centralizes communication and ensures that all employees are informed and aligned.
4. Business Process Automation: SharePoint integrates with Power Automate to automate repetitive tasks and business processes. This can include approval workflows, notifications, and data synchronization, which improve efficiency and reduce manual effort.
5. Custom Solutions: SharePoint allows organizations to build custom solutions for their specific needs. Organizations can extend SharePoint’s functionality and create various applications using tools like SharePoint Framework (SPFx), Power Apps, etc.
6. Security and Compliance: SharePoint provides robust security features, including granular permission settings, data encryption, and compliance tools. This helps organizations protect sensitive information and comply with industry regulations and standards.
7. Integration with Microsoft 365: SharePoint integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft 365 applications, such as Teams, OneDrive, Outlook, and Office apps. This integration enhances productivity by allowing users to access and collaborate on content across different platforms.
8. Content Management: SharePoint enables organizations to manage various content types, including documents, lists, calendars, and multimedia. This centralized content management helps streamline operations and improve information governance.
9. Scalability and Flexibility: SharePoint can scale to meet the needs of small teams or large enterprises. It offers on-premises and cloud-based deployment options (SharePoint Server and SharePoint Online), providing flexibility based on organizational requirements.

Using SharePoint, organizations can enhance collaboration, improve document management, automate business processes, and ensure secure and compliant content management, ultimately driving productivity and efficiency.

2. What is SharePoint Online?

Answer: SharePoint Online is a cloud-based version of SharePoint offered as part of the Office 365 suite. It provides similar functionalities to the on-premises version but is managed by Microsoft, reducing the need for on-premises infrastructure and maintenance. SharePoint Online allows users to create, manage, and share documents and other resources from anywhere with an internet connection.

3. What are the benefits of using SharePoint Online over the on-premises version?

Answer: The benefits of using SharePoint Online include:

• Reduced Infrastructure Costs: No need for on-premises servers and maintenance.
• Scalability: Easily scalable to meet the needs of growing organizations.
• Accessibility: Access from anywhere with an internet connection.
• Automatic Updates: Regular updates and new features are automatically provided by Microsoft.
• Integration: Seamless integration with other Office 365 services like Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, and Outlook.

SharePoint on-premise interview questions

Here are some sharepoint on-premise interview questions and answers.

4. What is a SharePoint Farm?

Answer: A SharePoint Farm is a collection of one or more SharePoint servers working together to provide a set of services and functionalities. A farm typically includes web servers, application servers, and database servers. The farm architecture allows for scalability, redundancy, and load balancing.

5. What is the SharePoint Farm Architecture?

Answer: The SharePoint farm architecture consists of multiple servers working together to provide SharePoint services. Key components include:

• Web Front-End (WFE) Servers: Handle user requests and serve web pages.
• Application Servers: Run background services such as Search, Excel Services, and Managed Metadata.
• Database Servers: Host the SharePoint databases, including content databases, configuration databases, and service application databases.
• Service Applications: Provide specific functionalities like Search, User Profile, and Business Connectivity Services.

6. What are the different types of databases in a SharePoint farm?

Answer: In a SharePoint farm, there are several types of databases, including:

• Configuration Database: Stores configuration settings for the entire farm.
• Content Databases: Store content such as documents, list items, and site data.
• Service Application Databases: Store data for service applications like Search, User Profile, and Managed Metadata.
• Logging Database: Stores usage and health data for monitoring purposes.

7. How do you configure a new SharePoint farm?

Answer: To configure a new SharePoint farm:

1. Install SharePoint: Install SharePoint on all servers that will be part of the farm.
2. Run the Configuration Wizard: Run the SharePoint Products Configuration Wizard on the first server to create the farm and configure the initial settings.
3. Create Configuration Database: The wizard will create the configuration database and Central Administration site.
4. Add Servers: Run the Configuration Wizard on additional servers to join them to the farm.
5. Configure Service Applications: Set up and configure necessary service applications like Search, User Profile, and Managed Metadata.
6. Create Web Applications and Site Collections: Create web applications and site collections to host your content.

8. What is the role of the Managed Metadata Service?

Answer: The Managed Metadata Service in SharePoint provides a way to manage and use metadata across the organization. It enables the creation and management of term sets and term stores, which can be used to tag and classify content consistently. Managed Metadata helps improve search, navigation, and content organization.

9. What is the purpose of the User Profile Service in SharePoint?

Answer: The User Profile Service in SharePoint manages user profiles and personal information. It enables features like My Sites, social networking, and targeted content. The service synchronizes user profile information from directory services like Active Directory and allows users to manage their own profile details.

10. How do you configure and use the Secure Store Service in SharePoint?

Answer: To configure and use the Secure Store Service in SharePoint:

1. Central Administration: Go to Central Administration and navigate to “Manage Service Applications.”
2. Create Secure Store Service: Create a new Secure Store Service application.
3. Generate Key: Generate an encryption key for the Secure Store Service.
4. Create Target Application: Define target applications to store credentials for accessing external systems.
5. Set Permissions: Assign permissions to users and groups for the target applications.
6. Use Credentials: Use the stored credentials in Business Connectivity Services (BCS), Excel Services, or other applications to access external data securely.

11. What is the purpose of the Distributed Cache service in SharePoint?

Answer: The Distributed Cache service in SharePoint provides caching functionality to improve performance and scalability. It is used for:

• Caching Authentication Tokens: Reducing the load on authentication services.
• Caching Newsfeed Data: Improving performance of social features.
• Caching View State: Enhancing page load times.
• Caching Search Query Results: Reducing the load on search services. The Distributed Cache service helps SharePoint handle high volumes of requests more efficiently.

12. What are SharePoint Timer Jobs, and how do you manage them?

Answer: SharePoint Timer Jobs are scheduled tasks that run periodically to perform various maintenance and administrative functions. Examples include content database backups, usage data collection, and workflow cleanup. To manage Timer Jobs:

1. Central Administration: Go to Central Administration.
2. Monitoring: Navigate to “Monitoring” and then “Review job definitions.”
3. Manage Jobs: View, configure, and manage the timer jobs, including scheduling and status.
4. Custom Timer Jobs: You can also create custom timer jobs using SharePoint development tools if specific functionality is needed.

13. How does SharePoint Online ensure data security?

Answer: SharePoint Online ensures data security through several mechanisms:

• Encryption: Data is encrypted both at rest and in transit.
• Compliance: Adheres to industry standards and regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO 27001.
• Access Controls: Granular permissions and access controls to manage who can view or edit content.
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adds an extra layer of security for user authentication.
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Policies to prevent sensitive information from being shared inappropriately.

14. Explain Zones in SharePoint

Answer: Zones in SharePoint refer to different logical paths (URLs) used to access the same web application. Each zone can have its own authentication and policies. SharePoint supports five zones:

• Default: The primary zone used for internal access.
• Intranet: For internal users within the organization’s network.
• Extranet: For external partners or vendors.
• Internet: For public access.
• Custom: A configurable zone for specific requirements.

15. What are Managed Paths in SharePoint?

Answer: Managed Paths in SharePoint are used to define the URLs under which site collections can be created. There are two types of managed paths:

• Explicit Inclusion: Allows a single site collection at a specific path.
• Wildcard Inclusion: Allows multiple site collections to be created under a specific path. This is useful for organizing site collections in a hierarchical structure.

16. How can you integrate SharePoint with other systems?

Answer: SharePoint can be integrated with other systems using several methods:

• APIs: Using REST API and SOAP APIs to connect with external systems.
• Business Connectivity Services (BCS): Allows SharePoint to interact with external data sources such as databases and web services.
• Power Automate: Automating workflows and integrating with other Microsoft 365 services.
• Third-Party Tools: Using connectors and integration tools provided by third-party vendors.

17. What is a SharePoint Team site, and why use a team site in SharePoint?

Answer: A SharePoint Team site is a collaborative space designed for teams to work together on projects, share information, and manage documents. It provides a central location where team members can access and collaborate on content, communicate, and stay updated on project activities. Team sites have pre-configured templates and features for team collaboration, such as document libraries, task lists, calendars, and discussion boards.

Why use a SharePoint Team site:

1. Centralized Collaboration: Team sites offer a centralized platform for team members to collaborate on documents, tasks, and projects. This ensures that everyone can access the latest information and contribute effectively.
   • Example: A marketing team can use a Team site to store campaign materials, collaborate on content creation, and track project timelines.
2. Document Management: Team sites provide robust document management features, including version control, co-authoring, and metadata tagging. These features help teams manage their documents efficiently and ensure everyone works on the most current version.
   • Example: A legal department can use a Team site to manage contracts and legal documents, ensuring that all team members have access to the latest versions and can collaborate on edits.
3. Task Management: With built-in task lists and calendars, team sites help teams organize and track project tasks, deadlines, and milestones. This improves project management and accountability.
   • Example: A product development team can use task lists to assign responsibilities, track progress, and meet project deadlines.
4. Communication: Team sites include features like discussion boards, newsfeeds, and announcements, which facilitate communication and keep team members informed about important updates and changes.
   • Example: An HR team can use discussion boards to share updates on policy changes and use announcements to inform team members about upcoming training sessions.
5. Customization: Team sites can be customized with additional web parts, lists, and libraries to meet the team’s specific needs. This flexibility allows teams to tailor the site to their workflows and processes.
   • Example: A sales team can add custom lists to track leads and opportunities and integrate Power BI dashboards to visualize sales performance.
6. Integration with Microsoft 365: Team sites integrate seamlessly with other Microsoft 365 applications, such as Teams, Outlook, and OneDrive. This enhances productivity by allowing team members to access and work on content across different platforms.
   • Example: A project management team can integrate their Team site with Microsoft Teams to facilitate real-time communication and collaboration.
7. Security and Permissions: Team sites offer granular permission settings, enabling administrators to control who can access and edit content. This ensures that sensitive information is protected and only accessible to authorized users.
   • Example: A finance team can restrict access to financial reports and sensitive data, ensuring that only team members with the appropriate permissions can view or edit the information.
8. Mobile Access: SharePoint Team sites are accessible from any device with an internet connection, allowing team members to collaborate and stay connected, even when they are on the go.
   • Example: A remote team can use a Team site to access documents and collaborate on projects from different locations and devices.
9. Consistency and Standardization: Using team sites helps standardize collaboration practices across the organization. Consistent use of team sites ensures that teams follow best document management and collaboration practices.
   • Example: An IT department can set up standardized templates for project documentation, ensuring that all projects follow the same structure and guidelines.

By using SharePoint Team sites, organizations can enhance team collaboration, improve project management, streamline communication, and ensure secure and efficient content management, ultimately driving team productivity and success.

18. What is a SharePoint Communication site, and why use a communication site in SharePoint?

Answer: A SharePoint Communication site is designed to share news, reports, status updates, and other information in a visually appealing format. Unlike Team sites, which focus on collaboration within a team, Communication sites are intended to broadcast information to a broader audience. They are ideal for scenarios where the primary goal is to inform and engage users rather than collaborate on content creation.

Why use a Communication site:

1. Information Sharing: Communication sites are perfect for disseminating information to a large audience, such as employees, partners, or customers. They help ensure that everyone stays informed and engaged with the latest updates.
   • Example: A company can use a Communication site to share corporate news, policy updates, and announcements with all employees.
2. Engaging Design: Communication sites offer modern, visually appealing templates that make creating attractive and engaging pages easy. This helps capture the audience’s attention and makes the information more accessible.
   • Example: An internal communications team can use a Communication site to create a visually engaging newsletter with images, videos, and interactive elements.
3. Event Promotion: Communication sites can be used to promote events, including details, schedules, and registration information. This helps increase awareness and participation in company events.
   • Example: An HR department can use a Communication site to promote upcoming training sessions, workshops, and company events.
4. Knowledge Sharing: Communication sites can serve as knowledge hubs where departments or teams share best practices, guidelines, and resources. This helps foster a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous learning.
   • Example: A product development team can use a Communication site to share product documentation, user guides, and training materials with other teams.
5. Branding and Consistency: Communication sites can be customized to reflect the organization’s branding, ensuring a consistent look and feel across all communications. This helps reinforce the company’s brand identity.
   • Example: A marketing team can use a Communication site to create a brand portal, providing guidelines, templates, and assets that ensure consistent branding across all marketing materials.
6. Audience Targeting: Communication sites allow for audience targeting, enabling content to be tailored and delivered to specific groups or individuals. This ensures that the right information reaches the right people.
   • Example: A corporate communications team can target specific departments or roles with relevant updates and announcements, ensuring employees receive information about their roles.
7. Mobile Accessibility: Communication sites are designed to be responsive and accessible from any device, allowing users to stay informed and engaged, even when they are on the go.
   • Example: Employees can access the company’s Communication site from their smartphones or tablets to stay updated on the latest news and announcements.
8. Integration with Microsoft 365: Communication sites integrate seamlessly with other Microsoft 365 applications, such as Yammer, Stream, and Power BI, enhancing content delivery and presentation.
   • Example: A leadership team can embed Power BI dashboards in a Communication site to share key performance metrics and business insights with the organization.

By using SharePoint Communication sites, organizations can effectively share important information, engage their audience, promote events, and maintain consistent branding. This will ultimately enhance communication and foster a more informed and connected workforce.

19. What is the difference between a Team Site and a Communication Site in SharePoint?

Answer:

• Team Site: Designed for collaboration within a team. It includes tools like document libraries, task lists, and calendars to facilitate teamwork. Team Sites are typically used for managing projects and ongoing work.
• Communication Site: Designed to share information broadly across an organization. It focuses on broadcasting news, announcements, and events. Communication Sites have a more visually appealing layout and are optimized for communication and engagement.

20. What is a SharePoint Hub Site?

Answer: SharePoint Hub Sites connect and organize related sites in SharePoint Online. They provide a common navigation structure, unified branding, and aggregated content, such as news and events, across associated sites. They help create a cohesive intranet experience and improve content discoverability.

21. What is a Site Collection in SharePoint?

Answer: A Site Collection is a group of websites under a common top-level site in SharePoint. It includes a top-level site and one or more subsites, all sharing common features such as permissions, templates, and content types. Site Collections are used to manage and organize content and resources efficiently.

22. What are SharePoint Site Templates?

Answer: SharePoint Site Templates are predefined configurations that provide a starting point for creating new sites. They include predefined lists, libraries, pages, and settings tailored for specific purposes. Examples include Team Site, Communication Site, Document Center, and Project Site. Templates help streamline the site creation process and ensure consistency.

23. What is SharePoint Central Administration?

Answer: SharePoint Central Administration is the web-based interface administrators use to manage the SharePoint environment. It provides tools and settings for configuring farm-level settings, managing services, monitoring performance, and performing backups and restores. Central Administration is the primary tool for managing a SharePoint farm.

24. What is the purpose of the SharePoint Term Store?

Answer: The SharePoint Term Store is a feature used to manage metadata terms and term sets across the organization. It provides a centralized repository for creating, organizing, and managing terms used for tagging and classifying content. The Term Store helps ensure consistent metadata usage, improves search, and enhances navigation.

25. What is the difference between Classic and Modern SharePoint experiences?

Answer: The Classic SharePoint experience refers to the traditional interface and functionalities available in older versions of SharePoint. The Modern SharePoint experience, introduced in SharePoint Online and SharePoint 2019, offers a more responsive, user-friendly, and mobile-friendly interface. Modern experience includes new features like modern lists and libraries, communication sites, and improved page authoring.

26. What is the difference between SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business?

Answer:

• SharePoint Online: A comprehensive collaboration platform that includes document management, intranet portals, workflow automation, and more. It is designed for team collaboration and organizational content management.
• OneDrive for Business: A personal cloud storage service that allows individual users to store, sync, and share files. It is integrated with SharePoint Online and provides capabilities for personal document management and file sharing.

27. How do you enable external sharing in SharePoint Online?

Answer: To enable external sharing in SharePoint Online:

1. Admin Center: Go to the SharePoint Admin Center in the Microsoft 365 admin portal.
2. Sharing Settings: Navigate to the “Sharing” section.
3. Configure External Sharing: Choose the desired sharing level (e.g., Anyone, New and existing guests, Existing guests only).
4. Site-Level Settings: Ensure that external sharing is enabled at the site level if needed.
5. Permissions: Manage permissions to control what external users can access and do.

28. How do you manage version history in SharePoint?

Answer: Version history in SharePoint allows you to track and manage document changes and list items. To manage version history:

1. Enable Versioning: Go to the library or list settings and enable versioning.
2. View Version History: Right-click on a document or list item and select “Version History” to see all versions.
3. Restore Previous Versions: From the version history, you can view, restore, or delete previous versions.
4. Major and Minor Versions: Configure the library to track major (published) and minor (draft) versions.

29. What is the difference between a Site Collection Administrator and a Site Owner?

Answer:

• Site Collection Administrator: Has full control over all sites within a site collection. They can manage site collection features, permissions, and settings.
• Site Owner: Has full control over a specific site. They can manage site content, permissions, and settings but do not have control over other sites within the site collection.

30. What is the purpose of the SharePoint Recycle Bin?

Answer: The SharePoint Recycle Bin provides a safety net for recovering deleted items. It consists of two stages:

• First-Stage Recycle Bin: Items deleted by users are moved here and can be restored by the user.
• Second-Stage Recycle Bin: When items are deleted from the first-stage Recycle Bin, they move to the second-stage Recycle Bin, where site collection administrators can restore them. The Recycle Bin helps prevent accidental data loss and provides a straightforward way to recover deleted content.

31. What is a SharePoint list and why use it?

Answer: A SharePoint list is a collection of data that you can share with team members and other users who have access to the SharePoint site. It is similar to a table in a database, or an Excel spreadsheet, where each item in the list is a row, and each column represents a specific field or attribute of the item.

Why use a SharePoint list:

1. Centralized Data Management: SharePoint lists provide a centralized place to store and manage data, making it easily accessible to team members and stakeholders.
2. Collaboration: Lists facilitate collaboration by allowing multiple users to add, edit, and view data in real-time.
3. Customization: Lists can be customized with various column types, views, and filters to meet specific business needs.
4. Integration: SharePoint lists can integrate with other Microsoft 365 services like Power Automate, Power Apps, and Microsoft Teams, enhancing productivity and automation.
5. Version Control: Lists support versioning, allowing users to track changes and restore previous versions of list items.
6. Security: Lists offer robust permission settings, enabling administrators to control who can view or edit data.
7. Automation: Lists can be used with workflows and Power Automate to automate business processes and reduce manual effort.

Using SharePoint lists, organizations can efficiently manage and share structured data, improve collaboration, and streamline business processes.

32. What is a SharePoint document library and why use it?

Answer: A SharePoint document library is a specialized type of list designed for storing, organizing, and managing documents and other files. It provides additional features tailored for document management, such as version control, metadata, co-authoring, and integration with Microsoft Office applications.

Why use a SharePoint document library:

1. Centralized Document Storage: Document libraries offer a centralized location for storing and managing documents, making it easier for team members to find and access the files they need.
2. Version Control: Document libraries support versioning, allowing users to track changes, view version history, and restore previous versions of documents. This is crucial for maintaining document integrity and collaboration.
3. Metadata and Organization: Users can add metadata (tags, categories, etc.) to documents, which helps in organizing, searching, and filtering files more efficiently.
4. Collaboration: Document libraries enable real-time co-authoring and collaboration on documents. Multiple users can work on the same document simultaneously using Office Online or desktop applications.
5. Permissions and Security: Document libraries provide robust permission settings, allowing administrators to control who can view, edit, or manage documents. This ensures that sensitive information is protected.
6. Integration with Office 365: Document libraries seamlessly integrate with other Microsoft 365 services, such as OneDrive, Teams, and Outlook, enhancing productivity and collaboration.
7. Automation: Libraries can be used with workflows and Power Automate to automate document management processes, such as approvals, notifications, and document routing.
8. Compliance and Governance: Document libraries support features like retention policies, auditing, and eDiscovery, which help organizations comply with legal and regulatory requirements.

By using SharePoint document libraries, organizations can improve document management, enhance collaboration, ensure security, and streamline business processes.

33. How do you create a SharePoint list from an Excel spreadsheet?

Answer: To create a SharePoint list from an Excel spreadsheet:

1. Excel File: Prepare your Excel file with the data you want to import.
2. Site Contents: Go to “Site Contents” on your SharePoint site.
3. Add an App: Click “New” and select “List.”
4. Import Spreadsheet: Choose the “Import Spreadsheet” option.
5. Upload File: Upload your Excel file and specify the range of data to import.
6. Create List: Click “Import” to create the SharePoint list from your Excel data.

34. What are the different types of columns available in SharePoint lists?

Answer: SharePoint lists support various types of columns to store different kinds of data:

• Single Line of Text: For short text entries.
• Multiple Lines of Text: For longer text entries.
• Number: For numerical data.
• Currency: For monetary values.
• Date and Time: For date and time entries.
• Choice: For predefined options (dropdown menus).
• Lookup: To reference data from another list.
• Yes/No: For boolean values.
• Person or Group: To select users or groups.
• Hyperlink or Picture: For URLs and images.
• Calculated: For columns with values calculated from other columns.

35. How do you use views in SharePoint Online lists and libraries?

Answer: Views in SharePoint Online lists and libraries allow you to display items differently by filtering, sorting, and grouping the data based on specific criteria.

To create and use views:

1. Create a View:
   • Go to the list or library.
   • Click on “All items” or “All documents” drop-down and select “Create new view.”
2. Configure View:
   • Choose the view format (Standard, Datasheet, Calendar, etc.).
   • Define the columns to display, sorting order, filters, and grouping options.
   • Save the view with a meaningful name.
3. Switch Views:
   • Use the view selector drop-down to switch between different views.

By using views, you can tailor the presentation of list and library data to meet different user needs and scenarios.

36. What is SharePoint’s Document Set, and how is it used?

Answer: A Document Set in SharePoint is a special content type that allows you to manage multiple documents as a single entity. It is used to group related documents together, providing shared metadata, workflows, and versioning. Document Sets are useful for managing deliverables, project documents, or any scenario where multiple documents need to be treated as a single unit.

37. How do you manage permissions for a SharePoint list or library?

Answer: To manage permissions for a SharePoint list or library:

1. List/Library Settings: Go to the settings of the list or library.
2. Permissions: Click on “Permissions for this list/library.”
3. Stop Inheriting Permissions: If the list/library inherits permissions from the parent site, click “Stop Inheriting Permissions.”
4. Assign Permissions: Add or remove users and groups, and assign appropriate permission levels (e.g., Full Control, Edit, Read).
5. Customize Settings: Configure additional settings as needed, such as item-level permissions.

38. How do you manage large lists and libraries in SharePoint?

Answer: To manage large lists and libraries in SharePoint:

1. Index Columns: Create indexed columns to improve performance and enable filtering.
2. Views: Use filtered views to display subsets of data.
3. Folders: Organize content into folders to break down large datasets.
4. Metadata Navigation: Enable metadata navigation to facilitate content discovery.
5. Throttling Limits: Be aware of list view threshold limits and design lists to stay within these limits.
6. Content Types: Use content types to manage different types of content within a single library.

39. What is versioning in SharePoint Online libraries, and how is it used?

Answer: Versioning in SharePoint Online libraries allows you to keep track of changes to documents by maintaining a history of versions. A new version is created each time a document is edited and saved. This feature helps in:

• Tracking Changes: See what changes were made and by whom.
• Restoring Previous Versions: Restore a previous version if needed.
• Collaboration: Multiple users can work on the same document without losing previous versions.

To enable versioning:

1. Navigate to Library Settings:
   • Go to the document library.
   • Click on “Settings” (gear icon) and select “Library settings.”
2. Configure Versioning:
   • Click on “Versioning settings.”
   • Choose the versioning options, such as “Create a version each time you edit a file in this document library” and set the number of versions to retain.
   • Click “OK” to save the settings.

40. How do you use SharePoint’s Quick Edit feature?

Answer: The Quick Edit feature in SharePoint allows you to edit list items in a spreadsheet-like view:

1. Navigate to List: Go to the SharePoint list you want to edit.
2. Quick Edit: Click on the “Quick Edit” button in the ribbon or the list toolbar.
3. Edit Items: Make changes directly in the grid view, similar to editing cells in a spreadsheet.
4. Save Changes: Click “Exit Quick Edit” to save your changes and return to the standard list view. Quick Edit is useful for bulk editing multiple items quickly and efficiently.

41. What is the purpose of SharePoint’s Check-In and Check-Out feature?

Answer: The Check-In and Check-Out feature in SharePoint manages document editing and version control. It ensures that only one person can make changes to a document at a time, preventing conflicts and maintaining version integrity. When a document is checked out, other users can view it but cannot edit it until it is checked back in. This feature is particularly useful in collaborative environments where multiple people may need to edit the same document.

42. What is the purpose of SharePoint’s Co-Authoring feature?

Answer: The Co-Authoring feature in SharePoint allows multiple users to simultaneously edit a document. This real-time collaboration capability enhances productivity by enabling team members to work together on documents without waiting for others to finish or dealing with version conflicts. Co-Authoring is supported for Office documents like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

43. What is a content type in SharePoint, and how do you create it?

Answer: A content type in SharePoint is a reusable collection of metadata (columns), workflows, behaviors, and other settings that define the attributes and behaviors of items in a list or library. Content types allow you to manage and organize different kinds of content consistently across a site or site collection.

For example, you might have a content type for “Contracts” that includes specific metadata fields like “Contract Number,” “Client Name,” and “Expiration Date.”

How to create a content type in SharePoint:

1. Navigate to Site Settings:
   • Go to the SharePoint site where you want to create the content type.
   • Click on the “Settings” gear icon and select “Site settings.”
2. Access Site Content Types:
   • Under the “Web Designer Galleries” section, click on “Site content types.”
3. Create a New Content Type:
   • Click on the “Create” button.
   • Fill in the required information:
     • Name: Enter a name for the content type (e.g., “Contract”).
     • Description: Provide a brief description of the content type.
     • Parent Content Type: Select the parent content type from which your new content type will inherit. For example, you might choose “Document” if you are creating a content type for documents.
     • Group: Choose an existing group or create a new group to categorize your content type.
4. Add Columns to the Content Type:
   • After creating the content type, you will be redirected to the content type settings page.
   • Under the “Columns” section, click on “Add from existing site columns” or “Add from new site column” to add the necessary metadata fields.
   • Configure each column by specifying its type (e.g., Single line of text, Number, Choice) and settings.
5. Optional – Configure Additional Settings:
   • You can also configure additional settings for the content type, such as workflows, document templates, and information management policies.
6. Apply the Content Type to a List or Library:
   • Go to the list or library where you want to use the content type.
   • Click on “Settings” (gear icon) and select “List settings” or “Library settings.”
   • Under “Advanced settings,” set “Allow management of content types” to “Yes.”
   • Under the “Content Types” section, click “Add from existing site content types.”
   • Select the content type you created and add it to the list or library.

By creating and using content types, you can ensure consistency in how different types of content are managed and organized across your SharePoint site, making it easier to enforce standards and streamline processes.

44. What is a site column in SharePoint, and how do you create it?

Answer: A site column in SharePoint is a reusable column definition or template you can create and use across multiple lists and libraries within a site or site collection. Site columns help ensure consistency in the metadata used across different lists and libraries, making it easier to manage and organize information.

For example, you might create a site column for “Project Name” that can be used in various lists and libraries to ensure that the “Project Name” field is consistent across all instances.

How to create a site column in SharePoint:

1. Navigate to Site Settings:
   • Go to the SharePoint site where you want to create the site column.
   • Click on the “Settings” gear icon and select “Site settings.”
2. Access Site Columns:
   • Under the “Web Designer Galleries” section, click on “Site columns.”
3. Create a New Site Column:
   • Click on the “Create” button.
   • Fill in the required information:
     • Column Name: Enter a name for the site column (e.g., “Project Name”).
     • Type: Select the type of information the column will hold (e.g., Single line of text, Number, Choice).
     • Group: To categorize your site column, choose an existing group or create a new group. Grouping helps organize site columns for easier management.
4. Configure Additional Settings:
   • Configure additional settings such as default values, required status, unique constraints, and more depending on the column type you selected.
   • For example, if you selected “Choice” as the column type, you can specify the choices available for this column.
5. Save the Site Column:
   • After configuring the settings, click “OK” to create the site column.
6. Add the Site Column to a List or Library:
   • Go to the list or library where you want to use the site column.
   • Click on “Settings” (gear icon) and select “List settings” or “Library settings.”
   • Under the “Columns” section, click on “Add from existing site columns.”
   • Select the site column you created and add it to the list or library.

By creating and using site columns, you can ensure that important metadata fields are consistent across your SharePoint site, making it easier to manage and search for information. Site columns also help streamline the process of setting up new lists and libraries by allowing you to reuse predefined columns.

SharePoint developer interview questions

Here are some SharePoint developer interview questions and answers.

45. What is the SharePoint Framework (SPFx)?

Answer: The SharePoint Framework (SPFx) is a development model for building custom SharePoint solutions. It allows developers to create client-side web parts, extensions, and other customizations using modern web technologies such as TypeScript, JavaScript, React, Angular, and more. SPFx solutions run in the context of the current user and connection in the browser, making them more secure and scalable.

46. How do you create a custom web part using SPFx?

Answer: To create a custom web part using SPFx:

Set Up Environment: Install Node.js, Yeoman, and Gulp.

Install SharePoint Generator: Use npm to install the SharePoint Yeoman generator.

npm install -g @microsoft/generator-sharepoint

Create Project: Use the Yeoman generator to scaffold a new SPFx project.

yo @microsoft/sharepoint

Develop Web Part: Write the code for the web part using the chosen framework (React, Angular, or plain JavaScript).

Test Locally: Use the Gulp serve command to test the web part locally.

gulp serve

Package Solution: Bundle and package the solution for deployment.

• gulp bundle --ship gulp package-solution --ship

Deploy: Upload the package to the SharePoint App Catalog and deploy it.

47. What is the difference between a SharePoint Add-in and a SharePoint Framework solution?

Answer:

• SharePoint Add-in:
  • Runs as an isolated application.
  • Can be hosted on SharePoint (SharePoint-hosted) or externally (Provider-hosted).
  • Uses an iframe to integrate with SharePoint, which can lead to a different user experience.
  • Requires an app web or a separate domain for provider-hosted add-ins.
• SharePoint Framework (SPFx):
  • Runs in the context of the SharePoint page.
  • Uses modern client-side development tools and libraries.
  • Provides a more seamless and integrated user experience.
  • Does not require an iframe, making it more performant and user-friendly.

48. What are SharePoint REST APIs, and how do you use them?

Answer: SharePoint REST APIs provide a way to interact with SharePoint data and functionalities using standard HTTP requests. They allow developers to perform CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations on SharePoint objects such as lists, libraries, sites, and more.

To use SharePoint REST APIs:

• Construct URL: Construct the URL for the REST endpoint you want to interact with.

https://your-sharepoint-site/_api/web/lists

• Make HTTP Request: Use HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) to perform operations. For example, to retrieve all lists:

fetch("https://your-sharepoint-site/_api/web/lists", {
  method: "GET",
  headers: {
    "Accept": "application/json;odata=verbose"
  }
})
.then(response => response.json())
.then(data => console.log(data))
.catch(error => console.error(error));

• Handle Response: Process the response returned by the API.

49. How do you deploy a SharePoint solution package (WSP)?

Answer: To deploy a SharePoint solution package (WSP):

• Add Solution: Use PowerShell to add the solution to the SharePoint farm.

Add-SPSolution -LiteralPath "C:\path\to\your\solution.wsp"

• Deploy Solution: Deploy the solution to the desired web application.

Install-SPSolution -Identity "solution.wsp" -WebApplication "http://your-web-application" -GACDeployment

• Activate Features: Activate the features included in the solution at the site collection or site level as needed.

50. What are SharePoint event receivers, and how do you use them?

Answer: SharePoint event receivers are custom handlers that respond to events occurring within SharePoint, such as item added, item updated, or item deleted events. They allow developers to execute custom code in response to these events.

To use SharePoint event receivers:

• Create Event Receiver: In Visual Studio, create a new SharePoint project and add an event receiver.
• Choose Event: Select the type of event (e.g., ItemAdded, ItemUpdated) you want to handle.
• Write Code: Implement the custom logic in the event receiver methods.

public override void ItemAdded(SPItemEventProperties properties)
{
    base.ItemAdded(properties);
    // Custom logic here
}

• Deploy: Deploy the solution to the SharePoint farm and activate the event receiver.

51. What is the role of the Client-Side Object Model (CSOM) in SharePoint?

Answer: The Client-Side Object Model (CSOM) in SharePoint allows developers to interact with SharePoint data and functionality from client-side code. It provides a set of libraries for .NET, Silverlight, iOS, Android, and JavaScript, enabling developers to perform operations such as CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) on SharePoint objects like lists, libraries, and sites without needing server-side code.

52. How do you use the JavaScript Object Model (JSOM) in SharePoint?

Answer: To use the JavaScript Object Model (JSOM) in SharePoint:

• Load Scripts: Ensure the necessary JSOM scripts are loaded on your page.

<script type="text/javascript" src="/_layouts/15/SP.Runtime.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="/_layouts/15/SP.js"></script>

• Initialize Context: Initialize the client context and load the objects you want to interact with.

var clientContext = SP.ClientContext.get_current();
var web = clientContext.get_web();
clientContext.load(web);
clientContext.executeQueryAsync(function() {
    console.log(web.get_title());
}, function(sender, args) {
    console.error('Error: ' + args.get_message());
});

• Perform Operations: Use JSOM methods to perform operations such as reading, updating, or creating items.

53. How do you create a custom action in SharePoint?

Answer: To create a custom action in SharePoint:

• Define Custom Action: Create an Elements.xml file to define the custom action.

<Elements xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/">
  <CustomAction
    Id="CustomActionID"
    Title="My Custom Action"
    Location="Microsoft.SharePoint.StandardMenu"
    GroupId="SiteActions"
    Sequence="1000"
    ImageUrl="/_layouts/images/yourimage.png"
    UrlAction="~site/_layouts/yourpage.aspx" />
</Elements>

• Deploy Custom Action: Package the custom action in a SharePoint solution (WSP) and deploy it to the SharePoint farm.
• Activate Feature: Activate the feature containing the custom action to make it available in the specified location (e.g., Site Actions menu).

54. How do you use REST API to perform CRUD operations in SharePoint?

Answer: To use REST API to perform CRUD operations in SharePoint:

• Construct URL: Construct the REST endpoint URL for the desired operation.

https://your-sharepoint-site/_api/web/lists/getbytitle('YourList')

• Make HTTP Request: Use HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) to perform the operation.

Create (POST):

fetch("https://your-sharepoint-site/_api/web/lists/getbytitle('YourList')/items", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Accept": "application/json;odata=verbose",
    "Content-Type": "application/json;odata=verbose",
    "X-RequestDigest": document.getElementById("__REQUESTDIGEST").value
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    '__metadata': { 'type': 'SP.Data.YourListListItem' },
    'Title': 'New Item'
  })
})
.then(response => response.json())
.then(data => console.log(data))
.catch(error => console.error(error));

Read (GET):

fetch("https://your-sharepoint-site/_api/web/lists/getbytitle('YourList')/items", {
  method: "GET",
  headers: {
    "Accept": "application/json;odata=verbose"
  }
})
.then(response => response.json())
.then(data => console.log(data))
.catch(error => console.error(error));

Update (MERGE or PUT):

fetch("https://your-sharepoint-site/_api/web/lists/getbytitle('YourList')/items(1)", {
  method: "MERGE",
  headers: {
    "Accept": "application/json;odata=verbose",
    "Content-Type": "application/json;odata=verbose",
    "X-RequestDigest": document.getElementById("__REQUESTDIGEST").value,
    "IF-MATCH": "*"
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    '__metadata': { 'type': 'SP.Data.YourListListItem' },
    'Title': 'Updated Item'
  })
})
.then(response => response.json())
.then(data => console.log(data))
.catch(error => console.error(error));

Delete (DELETE):

fetch("https://your-sharepoint-site/_api/web/lists/getbytitle('YourList')/items(1)", {
  method: "DELETE",
  headers: {
    "Accept": "application/json;odata=verbose",
    "X-RequestDigest": document.getElementById("__REQUESTDIGEST").value,
    "IF-MATCH": "*"
  }
})
.then(response => response.json())
.then(data => console.log(data))
.catch(error => console.error(error));

55. How do you handle errors and exceptions in SharePoint development?

Answer: To handle errors and exceptions in SharePoint development:

1. Try-Catch Blocks: Use try-catch blocks in your code to catch exceptions and handle them gracefully.

try
{
    // Your code here
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
    // Log the exception and handle it
    SPDiagnosticsService.Local.WriteTrace(0, new SPDiagnosticsCategory("Custom Category", TraceSeverity.Unexpected, EventSeverity.Error), TraceSeverity.Unexpected, ex.Message, ex.StackTrace);
}

2. Logging: Use SharePoint’s logging mechanisms like ULS (Unified Logging System) to log errors and important events.

SPDiagnosticsService.Local.WriteTrace(0, new SPDiagnosticsCategory("Custom Category", TraceSeverity.Unexpected, EventSeverity.Error), TraceSeverity.Unexpected, "Error Message: {0}", ex.Message);

56. How can you migrate content to SharePoint Online?

Answer: Content migration to SharePoint Online can be done using various tools and methods:

• SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT): A free tool provided by Microsoft for migrating content from on-premises SharePoint and file shares to SharePoint Online.
• Third-Party Tools: Tools like ShareGate, AvePoint, and Metalogix offer advanced migration capabilities and features.
• Manual Migration: Manually uploading content and configuring settings, suitable for smaller migrations.

57. How do you migrate content to SharePoint Online?

Answer: To migrate content to SharePoint Online:

1. Assessment: Assess the source environment to understand the content, structure, and customizations that need to be migrated.
2. Planning: Plan the migration, including mapping source content to the target SharePoint Online structure and identifying any necessary transformations.
3. Tools: Use migration tools such as the SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT), ShareGate, or other third-party tools to facilitate the migration process.
4. Pre-Migration: Prepare the target SharePoint Online environment by creating necessary site collections, sites, libraries, and lists.
5. Migration: Perform the migration using the chosen tool, ensuring that content is transferred accurately and efficiently.
6. Post-Migration: Validate the migrated content, check permissions, and ensure that customizations and workflows are functioning as expected.
7. User Training: Train users on the new environment and address any issues or questions that arise.

By preparing thoroughly and using the right tools, you can ensure a smooth and successful migration to SharePoint Online.

I hope these SharePoint interview questions and answers will help you prepare as a SharePoint developer.

You may also like the following tutorials:

• Create a Task in Microsoft Planner using Power Automate
• CAML Query Builder in SharePoint Online
• Content Type Hub in SharePoint Online