Microsoft SharePoint Online is a key tool for businesses aiming to foster collaboration, streamline workflows, and manage documents efficiently. Within SharePoint Online, users can operate in two primary experiences: Classic and Modern modes. Both modes offer distinct features, advantages, and disadvantages, making it essential for organizations to understand their differences and how each mode can impact productivity, customization, and user experience. This in-depth guide will explore everything about SharePoint Online’s Classic and Modern modes, discussing their unique characteristics, pros and cons, and which is better suited for specific business needs.
What is SharePoint Online Classic Mode?
The Classic mode in SharePoint Online is the traditional user interface that was first introduced with earlier versions of SharePoint. This mode maintains the original structure and functionality that many experienced SharePoint users have become accustomed to over the years. It offers extensive customization capabilities, allowing developers and IT professionals to build complex, tailored solutions using client-side code and server-side solutions. Classic mode is known for its use of features such as SharePoint Designer, custom master pages, and web parts that provide greater control over site appearance and behavior.
Classic mode’s familiarity and robust customization options make it a preferred choice for organizations with legacy systems or those that have heavily customized SharePoint solutions that would be difficult to migrate to the Modern experience.
What is SharePoint Online Modern Mode?
SharePoint Online’s Modern mode is a more recent iteration of the platform, designed to address usability and performance issues found in the Classic experience. The Modern mode was introduced to create a more engaging, responsive, and user-friendly environment for both developers and end-users. It aligns with current web development standards, offering a cleaner, more intuitive interface and improved integration with other Microsoft 365 applications.
Modern mode provides features like responsive design for mobile devices, modern web parts that are easier to use and configure, and a more collaborative experience overall. The Modern experience also boasts better integration with Microsoft Teams, which has become essential for many organizations using Microsoft 365.
Differences Between Classic and Modern Modes
The fundamental differences between Classic and Modern SharePoint Online experiences lie in their user interface, customization options, and overall user experience. Classic mode tends to be more complex and offers greater flexibility in terms of customization. Developers can create custom solutions using a variety of technologies, including JavaScript, CSS, and HTML, with extensive support for classic web parts and SharePoint Designer.
On the other hand, Modern mode emphasizes simplicity and user engagement. It offers out-of-the-box web parts that are designed for easy configuration, reducing the need for complex coding and development. Modern pages are fully responsive, ensuring that content adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes, which enhances the user experience on mobile and tablet devices.
Classic mode supports custom master pages, which allow for a complete overhaul of the SharePoint site’s design. This level of control is useful for organizations that require a highly specific branding or user interface. However, creating and maintaining custom master pages can be complex and may lead to compatibility issues with future SharePoint updates.
Modern mode does not support custom master pages, instead relying on a more standardized design approach. While this may limit some customization, it ensures that sites remain up to date with the latest SharePoint and Microsoft 365 updates, reducing the risk of compatibility issues. Modern mode is also known for its faster performance due to improved page loading speeds and a more efficient code base.
Advantages of SharePoint Online Classic Mode
One of the main advantages of Classic mode is its extensive customization potential. Organizations that require a specific look and feel or need to build highly tailored solutions find Classic mode to be more accommodating. The ability to use custom master pages, client-side code, and server-side code allows for greater flexibility in creating unique experiences.
Classic mode also supports legacy workflows and integration with older SharePoint features that some organizations may still rely on. This backward compatibility can be a significant advantage for businesses that have invested heavily in custom SharePoint solutions and workflows over the years.
Another benefit is familiarity. Users and developers who have been working with SharePoint for a long time may be more comfortable using the Classic mode due to its consistency with previous versions of SharePoint.
Disadvantages of SharePoint Online Classic Mode
Despite its strengths, Classic mode has several limitations. It lacks modern web development practices, which can result in a less streamlined user experience. Classic mode pages are not inherently mobile-friendly, requiring additional work to ensure a responsive design. This can be a disadvantage in today’s mobile-first work environments where employees expect seamless access across devices.
Maintenance and compatibility issues are also common with heavily customized Classic mode sites. Custom master pages and extensive code can lead to challenges when Microsoft releases updates, potentially causing site features to break or require redevelopment.
Performance is another area where Classic mode may fall short. Modern SharePoint pages tend to load faster and provide better performance, thanks to improvements in the underlying code and architecture.
Advantages of SharePoint Online Modern Mode
Modern mode’s user-friendly design is one of its greatest strengths. The interface is more intuitive, allowing users to create and manage content without the steep learning curve associated with Classic mode. This ease of use reduces the reliance on IT teams for everyday tasks, enabling faster content creation and collaboration.
Responsive design is built into Modern mode, ensuring that sites and pages automatically adjust to fit the screen size of any device. This makes Modern mode the ideal choice for organizations with a mobile or remote workforce.
Modern mode also offers integration with other Microsoft 365 applications, such as Microsoft Teams and OneDrive, which enhances collaboration and productivity. The modern web parts provided by SharePoint are pre-configured for various functionalities, making it easier for users to build and customize pages without extensive coding.
Performance improvements in Modern mode result in faster page loads and a more efficient browsing experience. This can lead to increased user satisfaction and better engagement, especially for content-heavy sites.
Disadvantages of SharePoint Online Modern Mode
While Modern mode offers many benefits, it also comes with limitations. One of the primary drawbacks is its reduced customization flexibility. Organizations that need highly specific design elements or functionality may find Modern mode restrictive compared to Classic mode. The absence of custom master page support means that full control over the site’s appearance is not possible.
Another limitation is backward compatibility. Modern mode may not fully support legacy workflows and features from older SharePoint versions. This could pose challenges for organizations that rely on these older features and would need to redesign or replace existing workflows.
Lastly, training and change management may be required to transition from Classic to Modern mode, especially for organizations with established workflows and user practices. Users accustomed to the Classic interface may need time and training to adapt to the Modern experience.
Making the Choice Between Classic and Modern Modes
Choosing between Classic and Modern modes depends on the specific needs and priorities of an organization. For companies that prioritize customization and have existing investments in SharePoint solutions, Classic mode may be more suitable. However, this comes with the caveat of potential maintenance challenges and the need for a more hands-on approach to development and updates.
On the other hand, organizations seeking ease of use, better performance, and a responsive design should consider Modern mode. It is particularly well-suited for businesses that are starting from scratch or those that do not need extensive customizations. Modern mode also provides a better collaborative environment due to its integration with Microsoft 365 apps and services.
A balanced approach can be to use both modes selectively, leveraging Classic mode for specific needs while transitioning most operations to Modern mode. This hybrid strategy can help organizations gradually adapt to the Modern experience without losing the benefits of legacy customization.
Conclusion
SharePoint Online’s Classic and Modern modes offer unique benefits and challenges. Classic mode excels in extensive customization and legacy support but may struggle with performance and modern usability. Modern mode prioritizes a user-friendly experience, responsiveness, and seamless integration with Microsoft 365 but may lack the depth of customization some organizations require. By understanding these differences, businesses can choose the best mode that aligns with their collaboration and content management goals.
For professionals looking to master SharePoint Online and understand how to leverage Classic and Modern modes effectively Eccentrix offers two trainings that help master this topic – the SharePoint Online Power User (MS55215) and the SharePoint Online Management and Administration (MS55370) training to enhance skills and ensure optimal use of SharePoint’s capabilities.
FAQ
What is the main difference between SharePoint Classic and Modern modes?
The main difference lies in their design and functionality. Classic mode offers extensive customization options and legacy support, while Modern mode provides a more user-friendly, responsive experience with better integration with Microsoft 365 applications.
Can Classic and Modern modes be used together?
Yes, organizations can use both modes simultaneously. This allows them to leverage the advanced customization of Classic mode for specific needs while transitioning to Modern mode for improved usability and collaboration.
Is Modern mode suitable for mobile users?
Yes, Modern mode is fully responsive, ensuring that pages adapt seamlessly to different screen sizes, making it ideal for users accessing SharePoint from mobile devices or tablets.
Does Modern mode support custom master pages?
No, Modern mode does not support custom master pages. This design choice ensures compatibility with updates and simplifies maintenance but may limit extensive customization.
