What is SharePoint in Microsoft 365?
Quick answer
SharePoint is the part of Microsoft 365 that stores a team’s or company’s shared files and builds internal sites. Every Microsoft Teams team has a SharePoint site behind it, so the files in a Teams channel are actually stored in a SharePoint document library.
Last updated
Updated · By Robert Breen
Why it matters
Files that belong to the business should not depend on one employee’s account. In SharePoint, a library belongs to the team: when someone leaves, the files stay, and permissions are set once for the library instead of file by file.
Most people use SharePoint without opening it, through the Files tab in a Teams channel. Knowing that the two are the same storage explains a lot, such as why a file uploaded in Teams also shows up in SharePoint and can be synced to your computer.
A worked example
A 25-person nonprofit used to keep everything on a shared network drive in the office. During a move to Microsoft 365, they create a Team called "Programs" with channels for Youth, Food Bank and Grants. Each channel’s Files tab becomes the new home for its folder from the old drive.
Three months later, the grants manager leaves. Under the old setup, her laptop held the only up-to-date copies of two applications. Now the files are in the Grants channel’s SharePoint library, her replacement has them on day one, and IT only had to remove her from the team.
Often confused with
SharePoint vs OneDrive
OneDrive holds one person’s files; SharePoint holds the team’s. Both use the same sharing, sync and version history, which is why they look so alike.
SharePoint vs Teams
Teams is where people chat and meet. SharePoint is where the team’s files are stored. A channel’s Files tab is a window into SharePoint.
SharePoint site vs intranet
A company intranet (news, policies, links) is often built from SharePoint sites, but most SharePoint sites are just document storage for a team, with no pages at all.
Tips
- Organize by team or project, not by person.
- Grant access to groups (the team) rather than to individuals.
- Use "Sync" or "Add shortcut to My files" to work on SharePoint files from File Explorer or OneDrive.
Related terms
Learn it in a free lesson
- Microsoft 365 Explained: Which App Does What, Free vs Paid (about 8 minutes)
Related in the AI glossary
Sources
Written from these official help pages. Menus change, so if a button has moved, the help page has the current wording.
- Microsoft Support: Collaborating with Teams, SharePoint and OneDrive
- Microsoft Support: Standard, private or shared channels in Microsoft Teams
Frequently asked questions
- Is SharePoint included in Microsoft 365?
- Yes, on business, enterprise and education plans. Personal and Family home plans do not include SharePoint.
- Do I need to learn SharePoint to use Teams?
- No. Teams creates and manages the SharePoint site for you. It helps to know that the Files tab is SharePoint, so you know where to look.
- Can people outside the company see SharePoint files?
- Only if your admin allows external sharing and someone shares a file or site with them.
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