Microsoft Sharepoint has been on a remarkable journey since it started in 2001. It began as a simple tool that companies could only use on their own servers. But over time, SharePoint has changed a lot to meet the needs of its users better, adapting to new technologies and ways of working.

In 2016, a big change happened. Microsoft 365 infrastructure introduced the SharePoint Framework (SPFx), a new way of improving and customizing SharePoint and enhancing Office 365 implementation. This wasn’t just a small improvement. It was a huge step forward, making SharePoint much more flexible and user-friendly for those leveraging Office 365 solutions. Originally, the Spfx allowed users to create only basic parts of a SharePoint site, but it has grown to offer much more. Now, it lets users customize fields, create command sets, and even integrate with Microsoft Teams, among other cool features.

So, what exactly is the SharePoint Framework (SPFx)? In this blog, our experienced SharePoint Framework (SPFx) solutions team will help explain it clearly. We will guide you through what the SPFx is, what it can do, and how it can make working with SharePoint easier and more enjoyable.

We’ll also walk you through how to get SPFx set up and ready to use. We want to make sure you have all the knowledge and tools you need to use this powerful framework effectively within your Microsoft Office 365 implementation strategy. By doing this, you can make SharePoint work precisely the way you want it to, helping your business run more smoothly for your Office 365 solutions toolkit.

What Is the SharePoint Framework?

The SharePoint Framework (SPFx) is a revolutionary development model designed to facilitate easy and efficient customization of the SharePoint platform. At its core, SPFx focuses on enabling the creation of client-side solutions that integrate seamlessly with the updated SharePoint user experience (UX).

It promotes flexibility and inclusivity in the development process, allowing for the use of various JavaScript frameworks and the choice of code editors.

SPFx is not confined to traditional Windows and Visual Studio environments, extending compatibility to other platforms like OS X and Linux. Microsoft has championed this open approach, leveraging widely accepted tools, technologies, and publicly available APIs, allowing developers to build robust and versatile solutions that enhance and expand the native capabilities of SharePoint.

Was This Update Needed?

SharePoint development models have continually evolved, adapting to technological advancements and user demands, with the central goal of improving platform stability and hygiene by externalizing customizations. From the beginnings with WSPs in MOSS 2007, transitioning through Sandboxed Solutions in SharePoint 2010, and moving to SharePoint Add-ins in 2013, each phase aimed for enhanced customization separation from SharePoint.

The introduction of SPFx marks a significant milestone in this journey, becoming the premier model for customization in the modern SharePoint experience. It surpasses the limitations of previous models, like the Add-in model’s reliance on iframes for integrating add-ins, catering to the contemporary demands for improved collaboration platforms.

SPFx, aligned with technological progress, enriches the SharePoint User Experience (UX) by embracing responsive web design. It ensures optimal content accessibility and usability across various devices, from desktops to mobile phones. Following Microsoft's guidelines during the SPFx development process not only enhances mobile responsiveness but also ensures seamless integration and rendering within the native SharePoint mobile app.

Enhancing SharePoint Online with Advanced Services

# Automation of Workflows

SharePoint Online, enhanced by SPFx, now offers robust workflow automation. This enables businesses to streamline their processes, reducing manual tasks and improving efficiency.

# Content Management

Advanced content management capabilities are integrated into SharePoint Online. These features support dynamic content creation, management, and distribution, making it easier for teams to collaborate and share information.

# Business Intelligence

SharePoint Online now includes powerful business intelligence tools. These tools provide insightful analytics and data visualization options, assisting organizations in making informed decisions based on real-time data.

# Search, Discover, Connect

Enhanced search functionalities in SharePoint allow users to easily find and connect with the content, experts, and resources they need. This feature ensures that vital information is readily accessible, fostering a more connected and informed workforce.

# Secured, Collaborative File Sharing

SharePoint ensures secure and collaborative file sharing. This aspect is critical for maintaining data integrity and security while promoting teamwork and information exchange across the organization.

Understanding the Key Features

The SharePoint Framework (SPFx) comes equipped with a multitude of innovative features designed to enhance the development and user experience on the SharePoint platform, making it a cornerstone of Office 365 implementation service. Here is a simplified breakdown of its essential features:

# User and Browser Contextual Operation

SPFx operates within the user’s current context and browser connection. Unlike previous models that used iFrames for customization, SPFx embeds JavaScript directly onto the page, ensuring a more integrated user experience.

# Direct Rendering in Page DOM

The controls in SPFx are rendered within the normal page Document Object Model (DOM). This means that they are directly integrated and managed within the webpage's HTML, promoting smoother interactions and page displays.

# Responsive and Accessible Controls

SPFx inherently supports controls that are responsive and accessible. This ensures that the SharePoint pages function effectively and are easily navigable on various devices and screen sizes, making the platform more user-friendly.

# Extended Developer Access to Lifecycle Events

Developers using SPFx have enriched access to various lifecycle events beyond the usual like rendering and loading. This includes serialization, deserialization, configuration changes, among others, providing a more comprehensive development environment.

# Framework Agnosticism

SPFx doesn’t tie developers down to a specific JavaScript framework. It allows the freedom to choose from a range of popular frameworks such as React, Handlebars, Knockout, Angular, and Vue.js, thus offering flexibility in development approaches.

# Utilization of Popular Open-source Tools

The SPFx enriches the development process by leveraging widely used open-source client development tools, including NPM, TypeScript, Yeoman, webpack, and gulp, fostering an environment that is both familiar and efficient for developers.

# Reliable Performance

SPFx promises consistent and dependable performance, ensuring that the developed solutions operate smoothly, enhancing the overall user experience.

# Wide Applicability and Usage

SPFx client-side solutions, once approved by tenant administrators, can be widely used across various sites, including self-service team, group, or personal sites, extending their applicability and usefulness.

# Compatibility with Classic and Modern Pages

SPFx web parts are versatile; they can be integrated into both classic and modern SharePoint pages, enhancing the continuity and consistency of user experience across different page types.

# Extension to Microsoft Teams

SPFx solutions are not limited to SharePoint; they can also be utilized to extend functionalities within Microsoft Teams, thus broadening the spectrum of collaborative tools and experiences available to users.

Pros and Cons

The pros of the SPFx framework clearly outweigh the cons. Let’s have a look:

Pros

Pros

• Runs in user context, displaying only allowable data to users.
• Lightweight, fast, and responsive, using NodeJS and compatible with Office Fabric UI components.
• Reduces risks associated with server-side solutions, supporting client-side development.
• Compatible with both modern and classic pages in SharePoint.
• Allows easy assignment and configuration of properties in client-side web parts.
• Manages the deployment process efficiently for client-side web parts.
• Supports offline development with a local workbench for creating and testing client-side web parts.
• Scalable and not limited to SharePoint, supporting integration with various services.
• Allows development on any machine (Windows, Mac, or Linux) and only requires a text editor and a proper setup.
• Secures the business logic or code of client-side web parts from easy access or viewing.

Cons

• Presents a new learning curve for classic SharePoint developers, necessitating learning various new tools and languages.
• Being client-side, SPFx might expose some business logic or critical information due to its client-side nature.

Why Choose the SharePoint Framework?

Microsoft 365 consulting services have unveiled various development approaches for functionality in the On-premise enterprise environment, such as Out Of The Box (OOTB), custom web-parts, and Event Receivers, primarily coded in C# and deployed to on-premises farms. While these methods work well within a single enterprise, they fall short in multi-tenant environments.

To overcome this, two notable approaches for SharePoint Online were presented:

# Client-side JavaScript Injection

Utilizing the ‘Script Editor’ web part is common and powerful, allowing the direct insertion of JavaScript, which executes during the page render event. This JavaScript interacts effortlessly with page controls as it operates within the same browser page context and DOM.

However, it has limitations like a lack of easy configuration options, and vulnerability to functionality breaks if an end-user modifies the script. Moreover, many sites enable the “NoScript” feature, restricting the execution of the Script Editor web part.

# SharePoint Add-ins

SharePoint Add-ins operate externally, are executed within an iFrame, and are suitable for “NoScript” sites. This setup ensures reliability and ease of deployment due to its separation from the system and limited access to the DOM/connection. However, the iFrame execution leads to slower performance due to additional authentication and authorization steps. It also imposes restrictions on responsiveness and the application of CSS and theming.

To address these challenges, Microsoft introduced the SharePoint Framework (SPFx) for client-side development. SPFx enhances JavaScript execution in browsers, interfacing smoothly with SharePoint and Office 365 back-ends through REST API calls. This new model optimizes the development process, offering a more efficient, integrated, and user-friendly approach to SharePoint customization and functionality.

SharePoint Framework Component Types

The SharePoint Framework (SPFx) offers four primary component types to build and enhance your SharePoint experience: web parts, extensions, libraries, and Adaptive Card Extensions.

# Web Parts

Web parts are interactive elements that you can place on most SharePoint pages. They operate client-side, executing directly in the browser, and can be found on every site page in SharePoint, whether created by you or Microsoft.

# Extensions

Extensions in SPFx enhance the user experience on modern SharePoint pages, lists, and document libraries. They come in three varieties:

• Application Customizers: Quick tools to add functionalities across SharePoint Online pages, also allowing the addition of custom HTML for a personalized appearance.
• Field Customizers: These modify how data in list fields is displayed, acting as the new version of jsLink in the classic SharePoint.
• Command Sets: Custom buttons that can be added to pages, enabling the creation of new actions and custom behaviors as needed.

# Libraries

Libraries are like communal toolboxes. They hold shared tools and code, making them accessible across different projects. This sharing makes creating new things in SharePoint more straightforward and consistent, as you can reuse existing tools instead of making new ones every time.

# Adaptive Card Extension

The Adaptive Card Extension is a recent enhancement to Microsoft Viva and SharePoint pages. It allows for the addition of customizable features, improving the dashboard’s versatility and user interface ensuring that essential information and functionalities are readily accessible.

How to Use It

Creating an effective SharePoint Framework (SPFx) environment is a structured process that can be achieved through two main approaches: using Virtual Studio Code or building a custom development environment tailored to your needs.

# Using Virtual Studio Code

Utilizing Virtual Studio Code provides a convenient and straightforward way to navigate through the SPFx environment, facilitating a smoother development process without the need for extensive customization or setup.

# Building a Custom Development Environment

It involves the following:

• 1. Developer Tools Installation: Essential developer tools need to be installed first. These tools form the foundation of your SPFx development environment, aiding in various development tasks and project management activities.
• 2. NodeJS Installation: Installing the latest Long-Term Support (LTS) version of NodeJS is crucial. It ensures that your environment can effectively execute code, contributing to a more stable and secure development process.
• 3. Code Editor Installation: Choose a code editor that best suits your working style and preferences. Options include Virtual Studio Code, Atom, and Webstorm. The code editor will be where you craft and manage your SPFx projects.
• 4. Yeoman and Gulp Installation: Yeoman and gulp are instrumental in project management. Installing them facilitates the initiation of new projects and automates workflows, allowing for a more organized and efficient development process.
• 5. Yeoman SharePoint Generator Installation: Installing the Yeoman SharePoint Generator equips your environment with universal tools and foundational code, creating a ready-to-use playground for hosting and testing web parts.
• 6. Trusting a Self-Signed Developer Certificate: SPFx operates primarily on HTTPS. As such, self-signed SSL certificates must be trusted within your development environment to ensure secure and effective operation of the SPFx.
• 7. Package Update: Regularly updating NPM packages is essential. It helps keep your environment up-to-date, secure, and running efficiently.
• 8. Web Browser Selection: Select and install a web browser that complements your development process. Browsers like Chrome or Firefox are recommended for their compatibility and support features.
• 9. Optional Tools and SharePoint Server Understanding: Consider incorporating tools like Fiddler and Postman to enhance your development capabilities. Develop an understanding of SharePoint Server 2016, acquainting yourself with its functionalities and any potential limitations or issues related to NodeJS, HTTP, and HTTPS.

Setting up the SPFx environment might seem elaborate, but by following the structured steps, you can ensure that your setup is optimized for a seamless and efficient development process.

Over to You

SPFx, or SharePoint Framework, is an exceptional tool that paves the way for effortless SharePoint development and customization. It provides a conducive environment, enabling you to craft remarkable web parts and applications using popular JavaScript tools and libraries. This sophisticated framework offers a seamless entry into the realm of SharePoint, transforming beginners into proficient learners.

Microsoft continuously unveils new features, enhancing the modern SharePoint site development experience. This makes SPFx a preferred choice for SharePoint development companies, encouraging a shift towards modern sites over the classic ones. The ongoing advancements and the informative guidance provided in this article hopefully serve as a robust foundation to kickstart your SharePoint Framework journey. For more assistance, hire Microsoft 365 expert consultant today!