Modern UI – Part II

Modern document libraries and lists were released in the summer of 2016 for SharePoint Online with the goal of creating better end-user experiences, including faster, better, and intuitive responses in a user-friendly environment.  Not only is it highly recommended that one transitions to the “modern” list and library but customizations be converted to the “modern” experience as there are many benefits to the “modern” experience.  Some of these benefits include the following:

– updated user interface: “modern” document libraries are similar to OneDrive, offering intuitive responses such as creating new folders and uploading files in the browser;

–  pinned documents:  pin documents so they are above the fold in any screen view for quick and easy access

– copy and move:  unlike old copy and move commands, the “modern” experience is intuitive and allows one to create new folders on they fly as the architecture of your information is displayed

– decrease number of copies of document: “modern” document libraries are intelligent.  They remember files that you have used in SharePoint which allows you to import files from other libraries as links rather than data files, thereby, decreasing the amount of storage space and duplicity numerous of files. 

– organizing files: “modern” document libraries provide the ability to group files directly on the main page without having to go to a separate admin screen.  In addition to this, there is the capability to click and drag columns to change their size plus sorting, filtering, and grouping can be done from any column header

–  mobile browsers:  whether accessing SharePoint Online with a keyboard, mouse, screen reader or touch, all mobile browsers will now have the same features as a desktop

–  editing metadata:  it is no longer necessary to click through multiple screens to apply an update as metadata can now be edited from the main view on the information panel

–   integration:  by integrating Office Online with SharePoint Online, SharePoint Online now provides a complete document preview at the top of the information panel and is completely navigable.  The information panel displays pertinent metadata including history of recent activities, recipients of the file for sharing and updates to the file

It is important to note that the “classic” experience will not be deprecated but will co-exist with the “modern” experience. 

There is an option available to the Admin to enable SharePoint to automatically detect when certain features are being used.  This auto-detect automatically returns the “modern” experience back to the “classic” experience when certain features are used. 

These features that are compatible to auto-detect include:

1. Navigation Features:  all libraries on sites that have metadata navigation and filtering features enables are shown in “classic” experience;

2.  Column Types:  geolocation columns, external data columns, and publishing columns (including publishing HTML, Publishing Image, Publishing Hyperlink); and

3.  Customizations:  JSLink code on fields, and CustomActions that include ScriptBlock or ScriptSrc properties. 

Auto-detect can be enabled, assuming the “modern” experience was not disabled under the site, web, or list levels, by following these steps:

1.  Choose Admin Centres;

2.  Choose SharePoint;

3.  Choose Settings;

4.  Scroll down to SharePoint Lists and Libraries experience; and

5.  Choose New Experience (auto-detect) (the black should appear in the circle next to this). 

Auto-detect is now enabled. 

Customization Options

Unlike the “classic” lists and libraries, the “modern” list and libraries supports fewer customization options; however, the SharePoint Product Group is continually working towards supporting more options in the future.  In the meantime, supported capabilities include Subset of User Custom Actions, Custom Branding, and PowerApps and Flow Integration. 

Customizations that are not currently supported for “modern” lists and libraries include: JSLink based field and view customizations, custom CSS via AlternateCSSUrl web property, custom JavaScript embedded via User Custom Actions, Custom master pages, customization via InfoPath, Minimal Download Strategy (MDS), and SharePoint Server Publishing.  For embedded Custom JavaScript, there will be controlled methods of embedding JavaScript on the pages through SharePoint Framework, and not only client-side web parts. 

User Custom Actions

Not all user custom actions supported by “classic” mode are supported in “modern” experience mode.  The following is a list of supported custom action locations and how they are surfaced in the “modern” UI:

1. User Custom Action Location:  EditControlBlock will be visible and show up as custom menu items; 

2.  User Custom Action Location:  CommandUI.Ribbon will be visible and show up as toolbar items; and

3.  User Custom Action Location:  Scriptlink and all other locations will not be visible and will not surface in the “modern” experience

Adding custom links to the context menu can be achieved by using the EditControlBlock as the location for your custom action.  Likewise, to extend the toolbar in the “modern” list and library experiences can be achieved by adding a user custom action targeting the CommandUI.Ribbon location. 

User Custom Action Limitations

It is important to keep in mind the limiting parameters when developing user custom actions. These limitations include the following:

1. Control of User Custom Actions:  one does not have complete control of the order in which the user custom actions show up.  The current API does not account for the sequence attributes;

2. Usage of JavaScript:  user custom actions will not show up if JavaScript is embedded in the command actions as it is not supported;

3. ScriptLink and ScriptBlock:  as ScriptLink is not supported, any user custom action relying on ScriptLink will not run in the “modern” experience; and

4.  Image Maps:  Image maps is not supported but you can specify individual images that are only 16 x 16.

Custom Branding

If your site employs a custom theme, then this custom theme will be respected in the “modern” list and library experience. 

Configuring End User Experience

The “modern” or “classic” list and library experience can be controlled at multiple levels:

1.  Tenant Level Configuration:  Highly suggested for disabling the “modern” experience completely.  In your tenant admin center, go to settings, select “classic” experience;

2.  Site/Web Level Configuration:  For preventing a web or site collection from using the “modern” experience, one can enable/disable features; and

3.  List/Library Configuration:  Control can be found at the library level by going to list settings, advanced settings, and then choose how you want to change the behavior.  Optionally, it can also be done using CSOM. 

As the SharePoint Team continues to add more supported features, it is highly recommended that one transitions to the “modern” list and library to take full advantage of the user-friendly environment which results in a satisfying end-user experience.