How to Edit or Delete Latest Updates and News in SharePoint
Question details
Users need to know how to edit or remove the Latest Updates or News sections on a SharePoint page, especially when the standard delete controls are not visible.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Modifying a SharePoint page layout to remove or update specific web parts like Latest Updates and News.
- Observed behavior
- The web-part controls for Latest Updates or News do not display a delete option, preventing users, and sometimes even administrators, from removing the section.
Ensure you have the necessary 'Edit' or 'Full Control' permissions for the SharePoint site and that the page is currently in Edit mode.
Remove or Edit the Web Part in Edit Mode
The standard method to modify or delete the Latest Updates or News web part using the SharePoint page editor.
SharePoint pages are built using web parts. To make any changes to the Latest Updates or News sections, you must first switch the page from viewing mode to editing mode. This unlocks the web-part toolbar, allowing you to reconfigure or delete the section.
Navigate to the SharePoint page you want to modify and click the 'Edit' button located at the top right corner of the page.
Scroll to the 'Latest Updates' or 'News' section and click anywhere inside the web part to reveal its context toolbar.
Click the 'Delete web part' icon (trash can) to remove it entirely, or click the 'Edit web part' icon (pencil) to open the property pane and modify its settings.
Once the section is removed or updated, click 'Republish' or 'Save as draft' at the top right of the page to apply your changes to the live site.
Verify Site Permissions and Web Part Locks
Resolve issues where the delete option is unavailable due to insufficient permissions or specific site template restrictions.
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While SharePoint is excellent for hosting your company intranet, creating the actual reports, news bulletins, and update files is easier with a dedicated office suite. WPS Office is a free, lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office that ensures your documents are perfectly formatted before you upload or embed them into your SharePoint site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the delete button missing on my SharePoint web part?
The delete button may be hidden if you lack sufficient editing permissions, if you haven't clicked 'Edit' to enter page editing mode, or if the SharePoint site template has locked specific default web parts to prevent removal.
Can I hide the News section without deleting it entirely?
Yes, you can edit the News web part settings to enable 'Audience targeting'. By selecting a specific audience group, you essentially hide the section from all other users without permanently deleting the web part.
How do I recover a deleted News web part in SharePoint?
If you accidentally delete a web part while editing, you can click 'Discard changes' at the top of the page before saving. If the page was already republished, you will need to edit the page, click the '+' icon to add a new News web part, and reconfigure your settings.
Do I need Full Control permissions to edit SharePoint pages?
No, standard 'Edit' or 'Design' permissions are usually sufficient to add, modify, or delete web parts on a SharePoint page. Full Control is primarily needed for changing site-wide settings or managing other users' permissions.
