The document discusses no-code solutions for SharePoint including workflows, forms, and search-based solutions. It provides examples of using SharePoint lists, libraries, search web parts, PowerApps, and Microsoft Flow to create automated processes and manage data without writing code. The document recommends starting with browser-based solutions, then using no-code tools before writing custom code. It also addresses concerns about transitioning from InfoPath to new form solutions.

2. Before we go forward, Question:
Which version of SharePoint are you on?
2010 20162013
Online

3. What can SharePoint do?

4. Collaboration
Document management
Internal Social Network
Forms
Process Automation
(Workflows)
Business Intelligence
Reporting
Search
Metadata Management
…
Super secret
The next version will even
make coffee!
Lots!!

5. What do You need
SharePoint to do for You?

6. I am not a programmer. I want to
create solutions (or get them
created) without writing any code

7. Examples of no-code solutions
Human
Resource
portals
Self-service
reporting,
financial
dashboards
Expense
reporting
Review and
approve
document
workflows
New-hire
orientation
sites
Ideation,
feedback, &
“suggestion
boxes”
Structured
documents:
contracts,
RFPs, &
invoices

8. (No-Code) Power User Tools of
the SharePoint Trade
Asif Rehmani
SharePoint MVP
VisualSP
Download my presentations at:
http://bit.ly/asifconference

9. About me - Asif Rehmani
Trainer
Founder and CEO
VisualSP
Chicago, USA
Contact:
@asifrehmani
asif@visualsp.com
www.VisualSP.com
Author
Trainer & ConsultantSharePoint MVPConference Speaker
Ignite
TechEd
SPTechCon
SP Connections
SP Fest
Dev Intersection
And many more…

10. Please help me understand who You are
Power Users Administrators
The infamous
SharePoint
Guy / Gal
Developers

11. Agenda
The importance of going no-code
Emphasis of this presentation:
Workflows, Search, Forms
(The Why and When to use)
Lessons learned

12. Quick intro on how our company,
VisualSP, helps the SharePoint users

13. VisualSP Help System
In-context SharePoint Help for end
users!
Help for end users when They need it most!

14. In-context Help/Training for end users

15. Come visit us
at our booth

16. “Let’s not write code until
we have to write code.”
Power User’s motto:

17. Creating Solutions
Recommended sequence when creating your solutions:
1. Browser based only
2. Use no-code tools
3. Use code tools
OR
3rd party products

18. Let’s look at an example…

19. I want to provide information about
a topic in one central location – on
one page

20. Search based solutions
Give them what they want, where they need it!

21. Demo: Search Web Parts

22. Show pre-configured data on pages using
Search web parts
Live pre-defined
search results on
web pages
Ability for users to
refine the results
as needed

23. Advantages of building no-code solutions
Possibilities of what you can do are Enormous!
Quick learning curve
Easier ongoing management of solution
Delegate responsibility easily

24. Form based Solutions

25. SharePoint Lists are great.
However… I want to control what list
information is presented in list forms
to users

26. The former ‘and current’ form solution from Microsoft
The story of InfoPath

27. Library form
InfoPath 2010 & 2013
Custom SharePoint list form
Workflow form

28. I am worried about all the forms we
are currently using in InfoPath and
what’s going to happen to them now
that Microsoft is not supporting
InfoPath long term

29. InfoPath 2013
Supported till 2026

30. Guidance on InfoPath
Already working with InfoPath and have a Lot of working forms:
Continue working with InfoPath
Never used InfoPath and looking for a forms solution for SharePoint:
Consider PowerApps, MS Forms, ASP.NET forms, or 3rd party
vendor

31. Access Web Apps
Quick form based application

32. Access web apps being retired - April 2018
• Just didn’t work for the required scenarios
• Needs outgrew capability of Access Services
• mobile device support, integration with line of business data,
and professional developer extensions.
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Office-Retirement-
Blog/Updating-the-Access-Services-in-SharePoint-
Roadmap/ba-p/57148

33. New(ish) kids on the block:
PowerApps & Forms

34. Microsoft Forms
Not end-all-be-all forms customization tool
For non-technical power users
Quick data pull
Surveys, Quizzes, Polls, Information Gathering
MS Forms web part available in modern pages

35. PowerApps is The main Microsoft
forms solution going forward

36. Creating Views of Lists using PowerApps

37. Customize List forms using PowerApps
Coming soon later this year…

38. PowerApps
PowerApps forms show up directly in the list view (late 2017)
PowerApps web part coming (late 2017)
Works great on mobile phones and tablets. Not so great of an
experience on desktops and laptops just yet
Works only on Modern lists in SharePoint Online. Classic SharePoint
interfaces not supported.

39. What are my non-3rd party Form options
today?
SharePoint On-Premises and SharePoint Online Classic
interfaces
InfoPath
SharePoint Online Modern interfaces
PowerApps, Forms

40. Process Automation
No-code workflows

41. I want to create automated
processes without writing any
code

42. 45
Workflow tools
▪Browser
▪SharePoint Designer 2013
▪Visio 2013
▪Flow
▪Visual Studio 2012/2013
▪3rd party applications

43. What SharePoint Designer 2013 offers
Stages
• New base level concept of
stages
Visual Designer
• Direct Visio incorporation
• Stage-Level Diagrams
New Task Actions
• Quick and easy to create
tasks and approval
processes
Web Services
• Able to call into Rest/HTTP
web services
Loops!
• Able now to loop indirectly
with stages or directly with
the new Loop actions
Copy/Cut and Paste
• Core copy/cut and paste
abilities now introduced

44. 48
2010 and 2013 style workflows
SharePoint Designer
2010
2013 & 2016

45. I am worried about losing all the
work I put in creating workflows in
SharePoint Designer over the years

46. SharePoint Designer 2013
Supported till 2026

47. New(ish) way to do workflow:
Flow

48. Flow in SharePoint Lists

49. Flow
The Main process automation solution by Microsoft
“Send for Review” Flow will be available later part of the year
Ability to ask for info (startup parameters/variables) coming soon
Integration in lists and libraries (late Oct 2017)

50. How do I practice my ideas and concepts?
Watch videos at:
https://www.visualsp.com & YouTube of course
Get a sandbox environment for practicing:
Get an Office 365 Trial
Or
Virtual machine on Azure
Or
Build your own Virtual Machine 56

51. Go for Quick Wins – Increases adoption and
confidence!
Identify real pain points and focus in on them

52. In-context Help/Training for end users

53. Call to Action
Download my presentations at:
http://bit.ly/asifconference
Watch video tutorials at:
VisualSP.com
Thank You!
@asifrehmani
asif@visualsp.com
www.visualsp.com