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Michigan State University
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Digital Experience Studio

University Communications and Marketing

  • Experience Program
  • Experience Design
  • Website Technology
  • Social Media
  • Analytics
  • News and Events

< Experience Program

  • Website Project Process
  • Working with a Vendor
  • Glossary
  • Taxonomy Data Dictionary

< Experience Design

  • Website Strategy
  • Website Structure
  • Information Architecture and Navigation
  • User-Centered Design Conventions
  • Common UX Issues
  • Enterprise Design System
  • Content Planning
  • Creating Accessible Content
  • Taxonomy and Filters

< Website Technology

  • Web Standards
  • Search Engine Optimization
  • Cascade CMS
  • Sitecore CMS
  • Content Hub Basics
  • Content Hub DAM
  • Content Hub Operations

SitecoreAI

Sitecore user login

< Social Media

  • Alt Text Bookmarklet
  • Meta Ad Pixel
  • Social Media and Web Integration
  • Sprinklr

Sprinklr

Sprinklr user login

< Analytics

  • Google Analytics (GA4)
  • Testing
  • Data Visualization

Google Analytics

Google Analytics user login

< News and Events

  • News and Updates
  • Events and Trainings
Digital Experience Studio > Website Technology > Sitecore CMS >

Sitecore User Guide

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Sitecore User Guide

This Sitecore User Guide provides information about general use of the platform to create and manage website content, from page creation to adding content, previewing and publishing. It also includes guidance on working with different modes and advanced features (such as forms). 

The Sitecore Component Guide provides specific documentation for how to use each component and variant within Sitecore. Components are typically added to pages in Page Builder.

Sitecore Basics

Explore the basics of using Sitecore, including how to log in, navigate the environments and tools, and the different types of fields required to build content.

Get started

Working in Sitecore

Page Builder

Content authors can use Page Builder to create and edit webpages within a website. Most users will predominantly work with this tool.

Use Page Builder

Editor Mode

Editor Mode in Page Builder enables users to work on webpages using a predominantly visual interface, with What You See is What You Get, or WYSIWYG, editing and full layouts.

Use Editor Mode

Content Mode

Content Mode in Page Builder isolates content to the data fields, allowing users to edit data and settings for pages without a visual layout.

Use Content Mode

Analyze Mode

Analyze Mode in Page Builder enables users to view Sitecore insights and analytics for sites and pages. It is not a Google Analytics replacement.

Use Analyze Mode

Content Editor

Content Editor allows users to work with content independent of how it is presented on a website. Editing is done in data field templates. 

Use Content Editor

Design Studio

Sitecore Design Studio is a tool used to create and test components and design and edit forms for use within Sitecore. 

Use Design Studio

Building Pages

Create a Page

Users can add a page to a website using Page Builder or Content Editor. Users can then add components and content to the page.

Create a page

Page Titles and URLs

Item names control page URLs. Page titles control what visitors see. Display names control what system users see.

Name a page

Page Layouts

Pages are built using one of several page layouts. Each layout has a different intended use, structure and capabilities. 

Explore layouts

Add and Delete Components

Components are the building blocks of pages. Available components vary depending on page type and layout. 

Use components

Working with Files

Sitecore sites can host files, such as PDFs. Content authors are responsible for ensuring accessibility within documents. 

Use files

Working with Images

Sitecore sites make use of assets, such as photos and videos. Learn how to upload, use and manage these assets.

Use assets

Working with Links and Anchors

Learn the proper way to add external, internal and anchor links to page components to provide a quality experience for audiences.

Create links

Link Redirects

When page pathways change, redirects help visitors find the moved page if they’re coming from a bookmarked or printed link or a QR code.

Add redirects

Using Special Characters

Sitecore supports special characters. Learn tricks and keyboard shortcuts for adding them to content.

See the shortcuts

Replacing an Asset

Swapping out assets and files requires several steps and republishing impacted pages.

Change assets

Building Forms

Forms Overview

Explore the Sitecore forms functionality and learn best practices for using forms on websites. 

Explore forms

Create and Edit Forms

Explore how to create, manage, activate and embed forms in a SitecoreAI website. 

Build forms

Form Field Guide

Learn about the data template and setting options for the various available form fields. 

View fields

Preview and Publish

Preview a Page

Preview a page configuration from a past, present or future date.

Preview content

Publishing Content with Workflows

Submit content changes to the publishing workflow.

Publish content

Delete a Page

Deleting a page may require specific steps, depending on the type of content.  

Delete content

Publishing Restrictions

Users can add settings to a page to prevent it from accidentally publishing. 

Restrict content

Unpublish or Hide a Page

Users can hide or remove a page from a live site without fully deleting the page. 

Hide content

Platform Support

Troubleshooting

See the Troubleshooting guide for resources and fixes for common Sitecore issues. This is a good first step in solving any issue a user is experiencing.

Check the guide

Submit a Support Ticket

Users requiring technical support can submit a request ticket. Please include the site name, username and issue details.

Email the team