Modern Content Types: Streamline Data Management | Sympraxis

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Why do content types matter?

A content type is a business object, something that can be moved around in your organization, whether it’s document-based or not. Some examples are invoices, contracts, status update, etc. Everything created inherits from an existing content type that can be used as a starting point.

Visualization of new content types inheriting from existing content types

An information architecture with effective content types enables users to answer questions like “how many proposals did we lose in the last month?” or “has Ralph written any status updates this quarter?”

The big difference in the modern content type gallery isn’t just the UI, it’s the movement from a push idea to a pull idea. Instead of having every content type that is created in the content type hub, users can request content types from the content type gallery for the sites where they want to use them.

Visualization of modern content type gallery ui

Updates to Content Type

When making changes to a content type, changes can take up to an hour to centrally hit the sites where it’s in use. Content types will only be updated if they are used in a list or a library.

Visualization of modern content type update message in ui

Site Templates (renamed from Site Designs)

How do content types fit into site templates? Site templates can be used as building blocks. In the settings for a site, there’s an option to apply a site template.

Visualization of apply a site template command in SharePoint settings

Apply Organization Template

Customization to sites can be done using the “from your organization” tab. This is where your published site templates will be showcased.

Visualization of applying a template to a site

Site Script Example: Policies Library

In the Site Script that creates the policies library, users can create the content type in the site template with the ability to give the content type an ID that is consistent.

Visualization of a site script for adding a content type from the hub

Visualization of creating a new content type with a site script

P-P-P-PowerShell

There are lots of options with PowerShell. There are programmatic ways to add a content type from the content type hub.

Visualization of using powershell to add a content type from the hub

Resources


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