Who is this article for?

Users who want to understand SharePoint content types.

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SharePoint content types define the structure and metadata for documents, list items, and folders, ensuring standardised content across libraries and lists.

1. Understanding SharePoint content types

A SharePoint content type is a reusable collection of metadata (columns), templates, workflows, and behaviours that can be applied to SharePoint items such as documents, list items, or folders. It defines the structure and attributes of a particular type of content so that it is standardised across libraries and lists.

For example, a Contract content type could include fields like Customer Name, Contract Start Date, and an associated document template.

2. Using content types

Ideagen Mail Manager Enterprise integrates with SharePoint libraries to ensure that emails saved to SharePoint carry the correct metadata and structure defined by the associated content type.

The application provides the following capabilities:

• Content Type Selection: When saving emails (or attachments) to SharePoint, the application detects and allows you to choose from the content types configured in the SharePoint library
• Metadata Population: Once a content type is selected, any required fields (defined within that content type) will appear for completion in the save process. The software can automatically populate some fields (such as Subject, From, Received Date) from email properties
• Compliance and Consistency: Using content types ensures consistency of metadata across saved items, making it easier to apply retention policies, filters, and searches in SharePoint
• Support for Custom Content Types: You can configure custom content types in SharePoint, and Ideagen Mail Manager Enterprise will surface these options in the save dialogue if the target library supports them