Automatically Display All Site Collections and Subsites in SharePoint Online’s Global Navigation

SharePoint Online offers a powerful platform for organization and collaboration, but navigating through numerous site collections and their subsites can sometimes be overwhelming. Microsoft has introduced various features to enhance user experience, including an App Bar that highlights frequently visited or followed sites. However, for those who need a comprehensive overview of all available resources, this can be managed through global navigation settings. This article will guide you on how to configure SharePoint Online’s GN to automatically display all site collections and their subsites, thus providing a more organized and accessible interface for all users.

Understanding SharePoint Online's Global Navigation (GN)

SharePoint Online’s GN is a crucial feature that helps users navigate through the different site collections and subsites within your tenant. By default, GN is configured to show the top-level navigation, which can include site collections and their main sub-sites. However, Microsoft provides flexibility to customize this navigation based on your organizational needs.

The Microsoft App Bar

Microsoft has introduced a new App Bar feature in some tenets, designed to provide users with quick access to important content, such as frequently visited sites or those that have been followed. The App Bar pulls information from your GN settings and showcases the most relevant sites in a simplified, user-friendly interface.

Manually Adding All Site Collections and Subsites to Global Navigation

While the App Bar is highly useful, it may not be the best option if you need to see all site collections and subsites, as it could clutter the navigation. In cases where you need a complete and detailed view, you can manually configure the global navigation to include all site collections and their subsites.

Steps to Configure Global Navigation

Go to SharePoint Admin Center: On the SharePoint Admin Center, select Site Administration Global Navigation. Select Navigation Source: Choose Site Collection or Site depending on the level of navigation you want to manage. For comprehensive navigation, select Site Collection. Configure Navigation Types: You can choose whether to show or hide navigation levels. Ensure that you include all sub-sites by enabling the appropriate options. Add Site Collections: Select your site collections to add them to the global navigation. Save: Once you have added all the needed site collections and subsites, save your changes.

Vendor Tools for Custom Navigation

There are several vendor tools available that can further enhance and automate the process of adding site collections and subsites to the global navigation. These tools can help simplify the configuration and ensure that your navigation remains up to date with minimal effort. Below are some popular tools:

SiteMap Generation Tools: These tools generate a comprehensive site map that can be used to auto-populate the global navigation with ease. Automation Scripts: Custom scripts can be implemented to automatically update the global navigation based on site collection modifications. Third-Party Navigation Management Tools: These specialized tools offer advanced features such as drag-and-drop navigation, dynamic updates, and integration with other Microsoft 365 features.

Conclusion

While the new App Bar feature in SharePoint Online offers a more intuitive user experience by highlighting frequently visited sites, there are cases where a user may need a complete and detailed view of all site collections and subsites. By configuring SharePoint Online’s global navigation, you can achieve this comprehensive view. Additionally, leveraging vendor tools can further enhance your navigation experience, making it more efficient and user-friendly.

Keywords

SharePoint Online, Global Navigation, Site Collections, Subsites, App Bar