Create a document library
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About document libraries
Document libraries are collections of files that you share with team members. For example, you could create a library of common graphics for a project or a collection of Microsoft Word documents containing your monthly status reports.
A document library appears on a page that lists each file and its properties, as well as a hyperlink to the file. The page also includes commands for adding files, sorting and filtering files, switching to a different view of the library, and changing the design of the library. You can also subscribe to be notified of changes to the library from this page.
When you add or remove a file from a document library, SharePoint Team Services updates all hyperlinks to it in your SharePoint team Web site.
By default, your team Web site comes with a built-in document library named Shared Documents, which is listed on the Quick Launch bar as well as on the Document Libraries page.
Kinds of documents
You can store any kind of file in a document library. However, there are some advantages to using document libraries in conjunction with SharePoint Team Services-compatible client programs, such as Microsoft Office XP:
By using a Web folder or Network Place, you can save a document to a document library as easily as you can save it to a folder on your hard drive.
You can set up a template that automatically starts the appropriate program and formats documents consistently when team members create new documents. For each document library, you can specify a template as the basis for all new documents.
You can open and modify your documents from within SharePoint Team Services-compatible client programs as if the documents resided on any other network place or local drive.
Custom properties
When you create a document library, you can specify the information authors must provide when they add a file to the library.
For example, if you have a document library of product plans, you can require authors to enter the title, comments about the content, and the document's status (such as preliminary or approved).
Folder view
By default, document libraries include a Folder view that enables you to work with files in the library similar to how you work with files in the Microsoft Windows Explorer. Using Folder view you can:
Delete files
Rename files
Copy and paste files from your desktop, including dragging and dropping
Select multiple files to delete, move, or copy
Note To use Folder view, you must have a SharePoint Team Services-compatible client program, such as Microsoft Office 2000, and Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 or later installed.
In the top link bar, click Create.
On the Create Page page, click Document Library.
In the Name box, type a name for the document library. This field is required.
In the Description box, type text that describes the purpose of the library. This field is optional.
If you want a particular program to run when team members create a new documents in this library, select the type of blank document in the Template Type box.
In the Navigation section, if you want a hyperlink to this document library to appear on the Quick Launch bar, click Yes.
Click Create.
A page that displays the default view of the new document library is added to the team Web site.