How do I create a folder structure template to be used in a Sharepoint Library (Online 2020 version)?

Question

I did some research online looking for answers on how to create a Project library re-using the same folder structure and templates all the time.

As an example, imagine a PMO that follows a certain methodology and have a set of project templates within a set of folders with a certain name and convention. Every time a new project starts there is a the need to create a new sharepoint library for that specific project.

I was trying to understand how to setup that feature so that every time I create a "new project" all that structure builds up automatically.

All of this with out coding ... I'm just a simple user ...

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

I think the answer above is not really what you are looking for. You can add multiple document libraries in a site. For this, it is possible to add a document library template from an existing document library.

Your use case is somewhat different, as you want to use one document library and then have multiple subfolders with a specific configuration. We have the same use case for our projects. From what I found so far, this is not possible with the standard functionality.

It get's worse if you use OneDrive Business to sync the folders to the users computers. All the predefined site element types and templates are not respected at all. Users can add any file they want and the templates are nowhere to be found.

I completely understand this from a technical point, but it is really not a good document management system from a user requirements perspective.

Answer 2

@Michael D
Based on your description, I understand that you want to reuse document library in the different site collections.

You could use save document library as template. Here’re steps:

In the site collection 1

1.Go to Library Settings -> Save document library as template -> Check Include Content checkbox.
2.Go to Site Settings -> List templates under Web Designer Galleries -> Download a copy of template file.

In the site collection 2
1.Go to site settings -> List templates under Web Designer Galleries -> Upload the template file.
2.Site content -> Add an app -> Choose the template.

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