Sycamore Root Intranet – Basic Site Editing

Introduction

Sycamore Root is Indiana State University’s intranet platform, built on SharePoint Communication Sites. It is divided into two independent hubs—Employee and Student—which must be updated separately. Most departments maintain sites in both hubs, though their content may differ based on audience needs. Each site is composed of pages, which contain sections, and those sections hold web parts. Editing a page in Sycamore Root involves opening a page for editing, configuring sections, adding web parts, connecting them to data, and publishing the page. This guide provides a high-level overview of that process for Editors working within the Sycamore Root environment.

Estimated Time to Complete

Reviewing this guide will take no more than 10 minutes

Vocabulary

Steps

1. Open a Page for Editing
   1. Create a new page from the site’s home screen or settings menu
      1. From the New drop-down on the main site page:
         1. Select Page
         2. Edit the Page
         3. Publish
   2. or Open an existing page and click “Edit” in the top-right corner
       
2. Configure Sections
   1. Add a Section to your Page using the blue "Add a New Section" control.
   2. Select a layout (e.g., one-column, two-column)
   3. Adjust spacing, background, and alignment options using the Section's Edit Properties button.
       
3. Add Web Parts
   1. Click the “+” icon within a section to add a web part
   2. Select from available types (Text, Image, Document Library, Quick Links, etc.)
   3. Drag and drop to reposition as needed
       
4. Configure Web Parts
   1. Connect to data sources (e.g., document libraries, lists)
   2. Set display options, filters, and permissions
   3. Test functionality before publishing
       
5. Publish
   1. Click “Preview” to review changes
   2. Click “Publish” to make the page live
   3. Use “Republish” for updates to existing pages

Conclusion

Editing a site in Sycamore Root is a structured process that begins with opening a page for editing and continues through configuring sections, adding and customizing web parts, and publishing your changes. Whether you're updating content for the Employee or Student hub, the steps remain consistent, though the content may vary by audience.

If you need training, clarification, or assistance with site editing, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
You can schedule time with the IT Business Analyst directly via their Bookings link.

Addendum: Site Access

Editors can manage access to their Sycamore Root site without contacting OIT.
You can find the details on the Sycamore Root FAQ