SharePoint is usually accessed through your work email login, not a separate account
SharePoint is a document storage and sharing system that your employer or organization runs. You do not sign up for it separately — you use the same login credentials you use for your work email. If your organization uses Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365), SharePoint is already part of your account.
The most common way to reach it is through a web browser. You go to your organization's SharePoint site URL, which your IT department or manager should have given you. It typically looks like yourcompanyname.sharepoint.com or a custom web address your organization chose. You enter your work email and password, and you are in.
Some organizations also make SharePoint accessible through the Microsoft 365 app launcher — a grid icon in the top left corner of Outlook, Word, or Excel online. Clicking that icon shows all the Microsoft tools your organization has set up, including SharePoint. From there you can navigate to the specific site or document library you need.
Key Takeaways
- You log into SharePoint using your work email and password — the same credentials you use for company email.
- Your organization's IT department or manager provides the web address where you access SharePoint, usually something like yourcompanyname.sharepoint.com.
- If your organization uses Microsoft 365, you can also reach SharePoint through the app launcher grid icon in Outlook or other Microsoft programs.
- Once logged in, you navigate to specific team sites or document libraries where your organization stores shared files and information.
- If you cannot log in, contact your IT department or manager — they can reset your password or confirm your account has SharePoint access.
Finding the right SharePoint site or document library
SharePoint organizes documents into sites and document libraries. A site is usually set up for a specific team, project, or department. Within each site are document libraries — folders where files actually live. Your organization decides how to structure these, so the layout varies from company to company.
When you first log in, you should see a home page or a list of sites you have access to. Look for the site name that matches your team or project. If you are not sure which site to use, ask your manager or a coworker — they can point you to the right one. Some organizations also have a search function at the top of the page where you can type a document name or site name to find what you need.
Once you are in a site, look for the document libraries listed on the left side or in the main content area. Common library names are "Documents," "Shared Documents," "Project Files," or names specific to your team's work. Click on the library name to open it and see the files inside.
Uploading and downloading files in SharePoint
To read a file, find it in the document library and click on it. A preview usually appears, and you can click "read" or a read icon to save it to your computer. Some organizations also let you open files directly in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint online without downloading.
To upload a file, look for an "Upload" button or link in the document library. Click it, select the file from your computer, and SharePoint saves it to the shared location. Your coworkers can then see and read the same file. Some organizations also let you drag and drop files directly into the library — just drag a file from your computer into the SharePoint window.
After you upload or edit a file, other people with access to that library can see the changes. SharePoint keeps a version history, so if someone accidentally overwrites a file, your IT department can usually recover an earlier version. This is one reason organizations use SharePoint instead of emailing files back and forth.
Permissions and what you can actually do
Your organization controls what you can see and do in SharePoint through permissions. You might have read-only access to some libraries, meaning you can view and read files but not upload or edit them. You might have edit access to others, meaning you can change files and upload new ones. You might not have access to some sites at all.
If you try to open a site or library and see a message saying you do not have access, that is a permissions issue. Contact your manager or IT department and ask them to grant you access. Tell them which site or library you need and what you need to do with it — read files, edit them, or upload new ones. They can adjust your permissions.
If you are editing a file in SharePoint and someone else is editing it at the same time, you might see a notification that the file is locked or being edited by another person. Wait for them to finish, or contact them directly and ask them to save their changes so you can work on it.
Troubleshooting login and access problems
If you cannot log in, first check that you are using the correct web address for your organization's SharePoint. If you are not sure what it is, ask your manager or IT department. Also make sure you are using your full work email address and the correct password — the same one you use for work email.
If your password is not working, your organization may have a password reset tool. Look for a "Forgot password?" link on the login page. If there is no reset tool, or if you reset your password and still cannot log in, contact your IT department. They can reset it for you or check whether your account is set up correctly.
If you can log in but cannot see a site or library you need, or if you see a message saying you do not have access, that is a permissions issue, not a login problem. Contact your manager or IT department and ask them to add you to the site or library. This usually takes a few minutes to a few hours to take effect.
Using SharePoint on your phone or tablet
You can access SharePoint on a phone or tablet through the Microsoft SharePoint app, available in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. read the app, log in with your work email and password, and you can browse and read files on the go.
Some organizations also let you access SharePoint through a mobile web browser — just go to the same web address you use on a computer. The layout is usually simplified for a smaller screen, but the login and file access work the same way. Check with your IT department if you are not sure whether your organization supports mobile access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between SharePoint and OneDrive?
OneDrive is for your personal files — only you can see them unless you specifically share them. SharePoint is for team or organizational files that multiple people need to access together. Your organization controls who can see what in SharePoint. Both use the same login and are part of Microsoft 365.
Can I access SharePoint if I am not in the office?
Yes. SharePoint is web-based, so you can log in from anywhere with an internet connection — home, a coffee shop, or while traveling. You use the same web address and login as you would from the office. Your organization may have additional security requirements, like a VPN or two-factor authentication, depending on their policies.
What happens if I delete a file in SharePoint?
Deleted files go to a recycle bin for a set period — usually 30 to 90 days, depending on your organization's settings. You or someone with admin access can usually restore the file during that time. After the recycle bin empties, the file is gone permanently. If you accidentally delete something important, contact your IT department right away.
Do I need to install anything to use SharePoint?
No. SharePoint works in any web browser — Chrome, Safari, Edge, or Firefox. You do not need to install software on your computer. If you want to edit Office documents directly in SharePoint, you need Microsoft 365 installed, but many organizations provide that as part of your work setup.
Can I work on a SharePoint file at the same time as someone else?
Yes, if the file is a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint document. Multiple people can edit it simultaneously, and you see each other's changes in real time. If you are working with other file types, only one person can edit at a time — the file locks while someone is editing it, and others have to wait their turn.