How To Rename A Sharepoint Site

Welcome to the world of SharePoint, where collaboration and organization are made easy. Have you ever found yourself struggling with the default name of your SharePoint site? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. In this article, we will guide you through the simple steps of renaming your site, making your SharePoint experience even more personalized. Let’s get started, shall we?

Why Would You Want to Rename a SharePoint Site?

Have you ever found yourself needing to change the name of a SharePoint site? There are several reasons why you may want to do so, and each one requires a different approach. In this section, we will discuss the various scenarios where renaming a SharePoint site may be necessary. These include changes in business name or branding, organizational restructuring, and correcting spelling or naming errors. By understanding the different reasons for renaming a site, you can determine the most suitable method for your specific situation.

1. Change in Business Name or Branding

1. Evaluate the necessity of a change in the business name or branding.
2. Conduct thorough market research to understand the impact of the new name or branding on the target audience.
3. Assess the legal and trademark implications of the new business name or branding.
4. Communicate the change effectively to both internal and external stakeholders.

2. Organizational Restructuring

1. Evaluate the extent of the organizational restructuring and its impact on the current site.
2. Communicate the decision to rename the site to all relevant stakeholders and departments.
3. Assess the need for redirects or mapping old URLs to new ones for seamless navigation.
4. Update any associated documentation, training materials, and internal resources to reflect the new site name.

Pro-tip: Consider appointing an organizational restructuring coordinator to oversee the process and ensure smooth transitions.

3. Correcting Spelling or Naming Errors

1. Assess the Error: Identify the specific spelling or naming mistake in the SharePoint site.
2. Check Impact: Evaluate the potential impact of the correction on links, navigation, and existing content.
3. Communicate: Inform relevant stakeholders about the intended spelling or naming correction and the timeline for the change.
4. Execute the Correction: Utilize the appropriate permissions to apply the necessary changes to the site’s name or URL.
5. Test: Validate the correction to ensure that all links, permissions, and content remain functional.

In a similar scenario, a company discovered a spelling error in their product name on their SharePoint site. After assessing the impact and obtaining necessary approvals, they successfully corrected the mistake, maintaining seamless navigation and access for users.

Things to Consider Before Renaming a SharePoint Site

Before diving into the steps of renaming a SharePoint site, it is important to consider some crucial factors. Renaming a site can have a ripple effect on various aspects of your SharePoint environment. In this section, we will discuss the potential impacts on existing links and navigation, permissions and access settings, as well as any customizations and third-party integrations that may be affected by the name change. These considerations will help you make an informed decision and plan accordingly before proceeding with the renaming process.

1. Impact on Existing Links and Navigation

• Review all existing links and navigation pathways.
• Identify the impact of the site renaming on these links and pathways, taking into consideration the potential changes in navigation.
• Update or redirect existing links to ensure seamless navigation post-renaming.
• Communicate the changes to all relevant stakeholders for awareness and to prevent any potential navigational issues.

2. Permissions and Access Settings

1. Assess the current permissions and access settings to document the existing configuration.
2. Inform all stakeholders about the upcoming changes in permissions and access settings.
3. Create a backup of the current permissions and access settings before making any modifications.
4. Review and update user permissions based on the new site name and URL.
5. Conduct thorough testing to ensure that the updated permissions and access settings are functioning as intended.

Pro-tip: Utilize SharePoint’s version history feature to track any changes made to the permissions and access settings, providing an additional layer of security and accountability.

3. Customizations and Third-Party Integrations

• Evaluate existing customizations and third-party integrations to determine any dependencies.
• Notify relevant teams and third-party providers of the renaming plan to ensure smooth integration.
• Create backups of custom codes and configurations to prevent data loss during the renaming procedure.
• Following the renaming, conduct thorough testing of customizations and integrations to identify any potential issues.
• Update any hardcoded references to the previous site name within third-party integrations.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Rename a SharePoint Site

Renaming a SharePoint site may seem like a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can be a smooth and seamless process. In this section, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to rename a SharePoint site. We will cover everything from determining the new site name and URL to ensuring all navigation links and permissions are updated. By following these simple steps, you can successfully rename your SharePoint site without any disruptions or confusion for your team.

1. Determine the New Site Name and URL

1. Assess the Purpose: Define the reason for selecting a new name and URL for the SharePoint site, ensuring it aligns with business objectives.
2. Check Availability: Verify that the new site name and URL are not already in use to avoid conflicts.
3. Consider SEO: If applicable, ensure that the new site name and URL follow search engine optimization guidelines.

Pro-tip: Before finalizing the new site name and URL, gather feedback from key stakeholders to ensure it resonates with the organizational brand and goals.

2. Check for Any Existing Site Names or URLs

1. Review SharePoint Admin Center for existing site names and URLs.
2. Use PowerShell commands to check for any existing site names or URLs.
3. Utilize SharePoint Management Shell to query for pre-existing site names or URLs.

3. Rename the Site in SharePoint Admin Center

1. Access the SharePoint Admin Center.
2. Click on ‘Sites’ in the left-hand navigation menu.
3. Select the site you want to rename.
4. Click on ‘Rename’ in the command bar.
5. Enter the new name and URL for the site.
6. Click ‘Save’ to apply the changes.

4. Update Navigation Links and URLs

1. Identify all the navigation links and URLs that require updating.
2. Access the SharePoint Admin Center and navigate to the site settings.
3. Locate the navigation menu or site map where the links are listed.
4. Update each link with the new URL or site name.
5. Double-check all the updated links to ensure they are functioning correctly.
6. Communicate the changes to all relevant parties to ensure everyone is informed about the updated navigation links and URLs.

5. Adjust Permissions and Access Settings

• Assess the current permissions and access settings to understand the existing framework.
• Identify the necessary changes in user permissions, groups, and roles to align with the new site name and URL.
• Communicate the adjustments to the appropriate stakeholders, providing necessary training or documentation.
• Regularly review and refine the permissions and access settings to ensure ongoing relevance and security.

Pro-tip: Utilize SharePoint’s versioning and rollback features to safeguard against unintended changes in permissions and access settings.

6. Test and Communicate the Change

1. Coordinate with stakeholders to schedule a test phase for the site renaming process.
2. Utilize the testing phase to identify any potential issues or disruptions resulting from the renaming.
3. Communicate the upcoming change to all relevant parties, providing clear instructions and timelines.
4. After successful testing, formally execute the site renaming and communicate the completion of the process to all users.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the process for renaming a SharePoint site?

To rename a SharePoint site, go to the site’s settings, select “site information,” and then click on the “rename site” option. From there, you can enter the new name for your site and click “save” to complete the process.

Can I change the URL of a SharePoint site when renaming it?

Yes, when renaming a SharePoint site, you have the option to change the URL as well. Simply enter the new URL in the designated field during the renaming process.

Are there any restrictions on what I can name my SharePoint site?

Yes, there are some naming restrictions when renaming a SharePoint site. The site name cannot exceed 128 characters and cannot contain certain characters such as &, <, >, #, %, or *. It also cannot be named “search,” “forms,” “layouts,” or any other reserved keywords.

Will renaming a SharePoint site affect any of its content or settings?

No, renaming a SharePoint site will not affect any of its existing content or settings. The only change will be the name and, if chosen, the URL of the site.

Can I undo a SharePoint site rename if I’m not satisfied with the new name?

Yes, you can undo a SharePoint site rename within 14 days of the change. Simply go to the site’s settings, select “site information,” and then click on the “undo rename” option.

Will renaming a SharePoint site affect any of its permissions or access?

No, renaming a SharePoint site will not affect any of its permissions or access. Users who had access to the site before the rename will still have access after the rename. However, it is always recommended to double-check permissions after making any changes to a site.