Sharepoint Interview Questions and Answers

Last updated on Feb 06, 2023
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Sharepoint Interview Questions

SharePoint is a dynamic platform by Microsoft to support enhanced collaboration and content management. It is used as a central web-based portal. Using SharePoint, organizations can manage employee documents, social activities, data, and other information valuable to organizational growth.

Here are the features /Advantages of using SharePoint

  • A centralized, password-protected space for document sharing within groups.
  • Multiple functionalities like document storage, download, and editing, while maintaining a centralized platform for continued sharing.
  • SharePoint offers a wide array of features making it very challenging for any one person to be an expert across all the features/ workflow.

Below is a list of the most frequently asked SharePoint interview questions, you can read them here, or, download the same in a PDF format.

Most Frequently Asked Sharepoint Interview Questions

Here in this article, we will be listing frequently asked Sharepoint Interview Questions and Answers with the belief that they will be helpful for you to gain higher marks. Also, to let you know that this article has been written under the guidance of industry professionals and covered all the current competencies.

Q1. What is a SharePoint Feature and what files are used to define a feature?
Answer

A Feature in SharePoint is a container of different pre-defined extensions for SharePoint Server 2010, and it is composed of a bundle of XML files that are deployed to front-end Web servers and other application servers. A feature can be deployed in SharePoint as part of a solution package while you could individually activate features in SharePoint server sites.

Files to define a feature are as follows:
  • Feature.xml
  • A manifest file (elements.xml)
Q2. Can multiple SharePoint installs point to the same DB?
Answer

The same Database server can be used by multiple SharePoint installs. But, not literally the same database on that specific server, it must be a SQL Server 2000 or SQL Server 2005. It can not be Oracle or any other vendor.

Q3. How do you return SharePoint List items using SharePoint web services?
Answer

Follow these steps in order to successfully list items using web services in SharePoint:

  • Use lists.asmx web service by establishing a web reference in Visual Studio
  • Now, these lists.asmx shall expose the GetListItems method, thus allowing the return of full content of the list in an XML node format
Q4. What is impersonation, and when would you use impersonation?
Answer

In SharePoint, Impersonation is basically a way to provide the functionality to execute any task in the context of a different identity by assigning an account to users with anonymous access for example.

Its main use is to access resources on behalf of the user having a different account that does not have proper access authorization.

Q5. What is Field Control in SharePoint?
Answer

Field control is actually very simplified server controls in ASP.NET 2.0 which provides a basic set of functionalities in SharePoint. A Field COntrol is used to provide general functionalities such as displaying or editing data lists as they appear on SharePoint list pages.

Note: These are basic SharePoint interview questions and answers which are a must for candidates preparing for Interviews/jobs.

Q6. What is a SharePoint Solution File? How does it differ from WebPart .cab files in legacy development?
Answer

SharePoint Solution files are actually Microsoft's preferred choice for deploying Windows SharePoint Server (WSS) components.

The difference with SharePoint solution files is that its a solution allowing deployment to all WFE’s in a farm is which is highly manageable from the interface and also allows deployment, retraction, and versioning Can package for all types of assets like site definitions, feature definitions (and other associated components), WebParts, etc.

Q7. What is a .ddf file and how does it affect SharePoint Solution creation?
Answer

In SharePoint, a .ddf file stands for Data Directive FIle which is used in building the SharePoint solution bundle while specifying source files along with their destination locations. This .ddf file shall be passed as a parameter to the MAKECAB utility thus helping in the creation of a SharePoint solution.

Q8. What are event receivers?When would you use an event receiver?
Answer

In SharePoint, event receivers are specific classes that inherit from the SpItemEventReceiver or SPListEventReciever base class, both of which derive out of the abstract base class SPEventReceiverSTatus and provide an efficient option of responding to multiple events as they occur within SharePoint, like adding an item or deleting an item.

An event receiver by its name suggests that it receives events. You could use a receiver for something very simple like canceling an action or deleting a document library using the Cancel property. This would further prevent users from unnecessarily deleting any documents if you wanted to maintain data storage retention.

Q9. What is Microsoft SharePoint Portal Server?
Answer

SharePoint Portal Server is a portal server used to connect people, teams, and spread knowledge across different business processes. A Portal Server integrates information from multiple systems into one main secure solution by using a single sign-in and leveraging enterprise application integration capabilities. It provides highly flexible deployment and management tools, facilitates end-to-end collaboration through efficient data aggregation, organization, and varied searching. This Portal Server also enables users to find relevant information through customization and personalization of portal content and vivid layouts for specific audience targeting.

Q10. How is SharePoint Portal Server different from the Windows SharePoint Services?
Answer
SharePoint Portal Server Windows SharePoint Services
Is a more premium and efficient version on Windows SharePoint Services and can manage large groups with efficient document handling as well Create workspaces defined to a small group of users
Is very expensive but powerful Is comparatively cheap, and offers almost the same services on a lower scale
Provides and employs document libraries designed to index vast stores of documents Just a document library
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