How To Fix Broken Links In Sharepoint Online?
As a business owner, you know how important it is to have a reliable and well-maintained SharePoint Online platform. When broken links start to appear, it can be a real headache to try to fix them. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to get your SharePoint Online platform back in working order. In this article, we’ll discuss how to fix broken links in SharePoint Online, so you can get back to using your platform without any issues.
Fixing Broken Links in Sharepoint Online:
- Go to the Sharepoint site and click on the “Settings” link.
- In the left menu, select the “Site Settings” option.
- Under “Site Collection Administration”, click on the “Search and offline availability” link.
- Click on the “Manage links” button.
- Check the table for any broken links.
- If any broken links appear, right-click on the link and select the option to “Edit” it.
- Replace the broken link with the correct one and click “Save” to apply the changes.
- Once the links are fixed, click the “Check Links Now” button to verify.
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What are Broken Links in SharePoint Online?
Broken links in SharePoint Online occur when a link to a file or web page is no longer valid. When a user clicks on the broken link they will be taken to a page that displays an error message. Broken links can be caused by a variety of factors including incorrect URL references, page or file deletions, or changes to the page or file structure. It is important to identify and fix broken links in SharePoint Online as soon as possible to ensure a smooth user experience and maintain the integrity of the website.
Steps to Fix Broken Links in SharePoint Online
Identify Broken Links
The first step to fixing broken links in SharePoint Online is to identify them. This can be done using a variety of tools including Microsoft’s own SharePoint Online Scanner. This tool scans the entire site and reports any broken links. Additionally, there are third-party tools available online that are designed specifically for this task.
Check Redirects
Once the broken links have been identified, it is important to check the redirects. If the broken link is pointing to an old page or file, the redirect should be updated to point to the new page or file. This can be done using the Edit Redirects feature in SharePoint Online.
Check Permissions
If the broken link is pointing to a page or file that a user does not have permission to view, it is important to check the permissions of the page or file. This can be done by selecting the page or file and then clicking on the Permissions tab. The permissions should be updated to ensure that the user has access to the page or file.
Update URLs
If the broken link is due to an incorrect URL, it is important to update the URL to the correct one. This can be done by selecting the page or file and then clicking on the Edit Properties tab. The URL can then be updated and the link should then be working correctly.
Check Links on Webpages
It is also important to check the links on webpages to ensure that they are pointing to the correct page or file. This can be done by selecting the page or file and then clicking on the Check Links on Webpages tab. This will list all the links on the page or file and will allow the user to check that they are pointing to the correct page or file.
Check Links in Documents
It is also important to check the links in documents to ensure that they are pointing to the correct page or file. This can be done by selecting the document and then clicking on the Check Links in Documents tab. This will list all the links in the document and will allow the user to check that they are pointing to the correct page or file.
Check Links in Lists and Libraries
It is also important to check the links in lists and libraries to ensure that they are pointing to the correct page or file. This can be done by selecting the list or library and then clicking on the Check Links in Lists and Libraries tab. This will list all the links in the list or library and will allow the user to check that they are pointing to the correct page or file.
Check Links in Search Results
It is also important to check the links in search results to ensure that they are pointing to the correct page or file. This can be done by selecting the search results and then clicking on the Check Links in Search Results tab. This will list all the links in the search results and will allow the user to check that they are pointing to the correct page or file.
Remove Broken Links
Once all the broken links have been identified, it is important to remove them. This can be done by selecting the link and then clicking on the Remove Link button. This will remove the link from the page or file and will ensure that the link is no longer broken.
Replace Broken Links
If the broken link is pointing to an old page or file, it is important to replace it with a link to the correct page or file. This can be done by selecting the link and then clicking on the Replace Link button. This will replace the link with the correct page or file and will ensure that the link is no longer broken.
Update Site Maps
It is also important to update the site maps in order to ensure that the links are pointing to the correct page or file. This can be done by selecting the site map and then clicking on the Update Site Map button. This will update the site map and will ensure that all the links are pointing to the correct page or file.
Update Navigation Menus
It is also important to update the navigation menus in order to ensure that the links are pointing to the correct page or file. This can be done by selecting the navigation menu and then clicking on the Update Navigation Menu button. This will update the navigation menu and will ensure that all the links are pointing to the correct page or file.
Related Faq
What is Broken Links in Sharepoint Online?
A broken link, also known as a dead link, is a link on a web page that no longer works. Broken links can occur when a page or site is moved or deleted, or if the URL of the link is mistyped. For SharePoint Online, broken links can occur when pages, sites, documents, or other content are moved or deleted, or if the URL of the link is mistyped. This can cause 404 error messages, broken images, and more.
Broken links can be confusing and frustrating for users, as they can often lead users to a dead end. It is important to check for broken links in your SharePoint Online environment and fix them as soon as possible.
How Do I Check for Broken Links in Sharepoint Online?
The first step in fixing broken links in SharePoint Online is to check for them. This can be done using a tool such as Xenu’s Link Sleuth, which is a free tool that crawls your SharePoint Online environment and reports any broken links. You can also use a tool such as Screaming Frog SEO Spider, which is a premium tool that can also be used to check for broken links in SharePoint Online.
Once you have identified the broken links, you can start to fix them. Depending on the cause of the broken link, you may need to update the link to point to the correct URL, restore the page or site that was moved, or delete the link.
What Are Some Best Practices for Avoiding Broken Links in Sharepoint Online?
There are several best practices you can use to avoid broken links in SharePoint Online. First, make sure that all URLs are correctly entered and that the content linked to is available. Secondly, make sure that you regularly check for broken links and fix them as soon as possible. Finally, make sure that you have a process in place for when content is moved or deleted, as this can often cause broken links.
It is also important to make sure that all links are up to date and pointing to the correct content. This can be done by regularly checking your links and updating them as needed. Additionally, make sure that you are using descriptive anchor text when linking to other content so that users can easily identify the content they are being directed to.
How Do I Fix Broken Links in Sharepoint Online?
Once you have identified the broken links, you can start to fix them. Depending on the cause of the broken link, you may need to update the link to point to the correct URL, restore the page or site that was moved, or delete the link. Additionally, you may need to contact the original source of the link to ensure that the URL has not been changed or deleted.
If the page or site that the link is pointing to has been moved, you can use the “Move” feature in SharePoint Online to move it to the correct location. Additionally, if the link URL has been mistyped, you can edit the link to point to the correct URL. Once all the links have been updated, you can then test them to make sure that they are working correctly.
What Are the Benefits of Fixing Broken Links in Sharepoint Online?
Fixing broken links in SharePoint Online can have several benefits. First, it can improve the user experience, as users will no longer be presented with dead ends when they click on a link. Additionally, it can help improve your search engine rankings as search engines do not like broken links and can penalize your site if they are not fixed. Finally, it can help to ensure that all links are pointing to the correct content and that users are not being directed to the wrong page.
In conclusion, fixing broken links in Sharepoint Online can be a difficult task. It requires knowledge of the Sharepoint Online platform and a methodical approach. However, following the steps outlined in this article can help you quickly and easily identify and fix broken links in Sharepoint Online. With a few clicks, you can ensure that your Sharepoint Online site is running smoothly and efficiently.
