It is recommended to understand the SharePoint Content types work and find ways that you can apply them in your site. This helps you and your site’s users to comprehend the entire content being displayed. There are various best practices that you can use in your Sharepoint site with the content types in order to enhance the environment and create a friendlier environment for the users.
SharePoint Content Types
Creating the Content Type at the Top
You should create the a content type crest of a site collection in order to be displayed entirely to the users and be a guide throughout the site. When you create this, the content types will be categorized under the ‘Custom Content Types’ section. If you want to create several content types and easily manage them, then you will need to create a customized group, then give it a relevant name.
Design a Root Content Type
You will then create a root content type for every Main content type that you are intending to use. This type is one that takes over straight from among the out-of-the-box content types. Nevertheless, this root type will not be directly used in the given portal. In order to avoid mix-up, you should name the root content type starting with the parent name, then suffixed or prefixed by the root name.
Custom a Group Name
You will be needed to create a unique group name for the content types. The group can be given the organization name, or a relevant name. This helps to sort the content as your portal becomes bigger or more popular.
Updating The List
If you want to add a new column to any of your created root content type, you will be able to circulate the changes to a child content type that is inheriting, by Updating the list and content type of the site.
Create Only Site Column That Won’t Be Contained
You will be needed to create columns that cannot be contained in the document and you wish to use them as a control. The users mustn’t fill the column if you will not be aiming a certain metadata through a Content Query Web Part. You may add the desired properties to the main content type and generate the alteration amongst the users.
Make The Fields To Be Easy To Use
Despite the number of fields that are present, you should attempt to make it simple for the users to populate the fields. By this, you can put easy default choices and enable several field options.
If you are using Word ’07 documents, you may consider forming a custom Document Info Panel. This will help to ease the metadata access and offer filters and other references out of sight. You could also consider inserting a personalized workflow in the content type. This may be designed to commence when you need to create a new item. It could also be used when you need to change an item. If you activate this option, you can be able to complete more metadata out of sight.
These are some of the practices that you might apply to ensure your site is usable enough. The SharePoint content types that you apply should be able to make people understand your site well.
