Create a default Site collection Term Set if none is present

  • Article
  • Applies to:
    SharePoint Online

This article describes how to create a default Site collection Term Set if none is present.

Symptom

In a site collection, when you go to Term Store Management during a site collection, you don't see a term set specific to that respective site collection.

Screenshot shows no local term store available when you go to Term Store Management during a site collection.

Cause

By design, the local term store is not available as a default on all sites.

The local term store is only available when publishing is enabled in the site.

Resolution

Activate the local term store which is missing.

If you need a local term store and don't want to activate the publishing feature, or if the feature isn't available (as it is on modern communication sites), follow these steps:

  1. On any site, select the Gear icon at the top-right corner of the window, and select Site contents from the drop-down menu.

    Screenshot shows selecting the Gear icon at the top-right corner of the window and selecting Site contents from the drop-down menu.

  2. Find any list or library, and select the ellipsis, then select Settings.

    Screenshot shows finding any list or library, selecting the ellipsis, and then selecting Settings.

  3. In the List settings, go to the Columns section and select Create column.

    Screenshot of the Columns section in the List setting, selecting Create column.

  4. Choose a name for the column, such as LocalMMS or NewMMS.

  5. Change the column type from Single line of text to Managed Metadata.

    Screenshot of the Create Column page that changes the column type to Managed Metadata.

  6. Scroll down to Term Set Settings and choose Customize your term set:. You can provide description if you would like, but you should see the name of the column you put above there.

    Screenshot of Term Set settings, choosing Customize your term set to provide description if you would like.

  7. Select the OK button.

  8. Return to the Taxonomy Term Store in Site settings, and verify that you can locate the new local term store at the site collection level.

    Screenshot of the Taxonomy Term Store in Site settings, with new local term store at the site collection level.