Understanding the SharePoint Site Navigation

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 56 views

Introduction

When building a SharePoint site for your department, you may want to customize the navigation panel to meet your specific needs. One common requirement is to hide the Documents tab from the site navigation, especially if you have a separate page for each role in the department. In this article, we will guide you through the process of hiding the Documents tab in the SharePoint site navigation.

Understanding the SharePoint Site Navigation

The SharePoint site navigation is a crucial component that helps users navigate through the site. It is typically displayed on the left-hand side of the site and consists of various tabs, including the Documents tab. The Documents tab provides access to the site's document library, where users can store and manage documents.

Why Hide the Documents Tab?

There are several reasons why you may want to hide the Documents tab from the site navigation:

Simplify the Navigation: By hiding the Documents tab, you can simplify the navigation and reduce clutter on the site.
Redirect Users to a Separate Page: If you have a separate page for each role in the department, you can redirect users to that page instead of displaying the Documents tab.
Customize the Site Experience: Hiding the Documents tab allows you to customize the site experience and tailor it to your department's specific needs.

Method 1: Using the SharePoint Site Settings

To hide the Documents tab, you can use the SharePoint site settings. Here's how:

Go to Site Settings: Click on the gear icon in the top right corner of the site and select Site Settings.
Click on Navigation: In the Site Settings page, click on the Navigation link.
Select the Navigation Type: In the Navigation page, select the navigation type as "Global Navigation".
Hide the Documents Tab: In the Navigation page, click on the "Hide" link next to the Documents tab.
Save Changes: Click on the Save button to save the changes.

Method 2: Using the SharePoint Designer

Alternatively, you can use the SharePoint Designer to hide the Documents tab. Here's how:

Open the SharePoint Designer: Open the SharePoint Designer and connect to your SharePoint site.
Go to the Site Navigation: In the SharePoint Designer, go to the Site Navigation page.
Select the Navigation Type: In the Site Navigation page, select the navigation type as "Global Navigation".
Hide the Documents Tab: In the Site Navigation page, click on the "Hide" link next to the Documents tab.
Save Changes: Click on the Save button to save the changes.

Method 3: Using the SharePoint PowerShell

You can also use the SharePoint PowerShell to hide the Documents tab. Here's how:

Open the SharePoint PowerShell: Open the SharePoint PowerShell and connect to your SharePoint site.
Get the Navigation Node: Use the Get-SPNavigationNode cmdlet to get the navigation node for the Documents tab.
Hide the Navigation Node: Use the Set-SPNavigationNode cmdlet to hide the navigation node for the Documents tab.
Save Changes: Click on the Save button to save the changes.

Conclusion

Hiding the Documents tab in the SharePoint site navigation is a simple process that can be achieved using the SharePoint site settings, SharePoint Designer, or SharePoint PowerShell. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can customize the site experience and tailor it to your department's specific needs.

Additional Tips and Considerations

Test the Changes: Before making any changes to the site navigation, test them thoroughly to ensure that they do not affect the site's functionality.
Communicate with Users: Communicate with users about the changes to the site navigation to ensure that they understand the new layout.
Monitor Site Usage: Monitor site usage to ensure that the changes to the site navigation do not affect user behavior.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I hide the Documents tab in the SharePoint site navigation? A: You can hide the Documents tab in the SharePoint site navigation using the SharePoint site settings, SharePoint Designer, or SharePoint PowerShell.
Q: What are the benefits of hiding the Documents tab? A: The benefits of hiding the Documents tab include simplifying the navigation, redirecting users to a separate page, and customizing the site experience.
Q: Can I hide other tabs in the SharePoint site navigation? A: Yes, you can hide other tabs in the SharePoint site navigation using the same methods outlined in this article.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hiding the Documents Tab in the SharePoint Site Navigation =============================================================================================

Q: What is the purpose of the Documents tab in the SharePoint site navigation?

A: The Documents tab in the SharePoint site navigation provides access to the site's document library, where users can store and manage documents.

Q: Why would I want to hide the Documents tab?

A: You may want to hide the Documents tab if you have a separate page for each role in the department, or if you want to simplify the navigation and reduce clutter on the site.

Q: Can I hide the Documents tab using the SharePoint site settings?

A: Yes, you can hide the Documents tab using the SharePoint site settings. To do this, go to Site Settings, click on Navigation, select the navigation type as "Global Navigation", and then hide the Documents tab.

Q: Can I hide the Documents tab using the SharePoint Designer?

A: Yes, you can hide the Documents tab using the SharePoint Designer. To do this, open the SharePoint Designer, go to the Site Navigation page, select the navigation type as "Global Navigation", and then hide the Documents tab.

Q: Can I hide the Documents tab using the SharePoint PowerShell?

A: Yes, you can hide the Documents tab using the SharePoint PowerShell. To do this, open the SharePoint PowerShell, get the navigation node for the Documents tab, and then hide the navigation node.

Q: Will hiding the Documents tab affect the site's functionality?

A: No, hiding the Documents tab should not affect the site's functionality. However, it's always a good idea to test the changes thoroughly before making them live.

Q: Can I hide other tabs in the SharePoint site navigation?

A: Yes, you can hide other tabs in the SharePoint site navigation using the same methods outlined in this article.

Q: How do I know which method to use to hide the Documents tab?

A: The method you use to hide the Documents tab will depend on your specific needs and the tools you have available. If you're comfortable using the SharePoint site settings, you can use that method. If you prefer to use the SharePoint Designer or SharePoint PowerShell, you can use those methods instead.

Q: Can I undo the changes if I decide to show the Documents tab again?

A: Yes, you can undo the changes if you decide to show the Documents tab again. To do this, simply go back to the SharePoint site settings, navigation page, and unhide the Documents tab.

Q: Are there any security considerations I should be aware of when hiding the Documents tab?

A: Yes, there are security considerations you should be aware of when hiding the Documents tab. For example, if you hide the Documents tab, users may not be able to access the site's document library, which could affect their ability to perform their job functions.

Q: Can I hide the Documents tab for specific users or groups?

A: Yes, you can hide the Documents tab for specific users or groups using the SharePoint site settings or SharePoint Designer. To do this, go to the Site Settings page, click on the "User Permissions" link, and then select the users or groups you want to hide the Documents tab from.

Q: Are there any best practices I should follow when hiding the Documents tab?

A: Yes, there are best practices you should follow when hiding the Documents tab. For example, you should test the changes thoroughly before making them live, communicate with users about the changes, and monitor site usage to ensure that the changes do not affect user behavior.

Q: Can I hide the Documents tab in a SharePoint Online site?

A: Yes, you can hide the Documents tab in a SharePoint Online site using the same methods outlined in this article.

Q: Can I hide the Documents tab in a SharePoint 2013 site?

A: Yes, you can hide the Documents tab in a SharePoint 2013 site using the same methods outlined in this article.

Q: Can I hide the Documents tab in a SharePoint 2016 site?

A: Yes, you can hide the Documents tab in a SharePoint 2016 site using the same methods outlined in this article.

Q: Can I hide the Documents tab in a SharePoint 2019 site?

A: Yes, you can hide the Documents tab in a SharePoint 2019 site using the same methods outlined in this article.