Launchpad
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      Getting started

      How to configure and use the Launchpad app for SharePoint Online by Accelerator 365

      The Launchpad app from Accelerator 365 enables users to conveniently access all of their everyday links, tools, and resources from a single location - your company's intranet.

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      Recommended setup considerations

      The Launchpad app stores its data in SharePoint lists. This includes data such as the links that have been created, in addition to individual user preferences and configuration of Launchpad instances (see the Technical details page for further information). These lists, referred to as the "data source", can be created via the web part property pane and do not require manual setup.

      We recommend creating the data source on the same site as where the app will be displayed if possible. In some rare scenarios, you may wish to create a single data source and display it on multiple pages, across multiple sites.

      Note: only users in the Site Owners group can create a data source.

      Note: it is only possible to create one data source per site.

      Configuring the app for the first time

      The Launchpad package contains two web parts - Launchpad and Launchpad Directory.

      1. If you are not already in edit mode on your page, select Edit on the top right of the page.
      2. Add the Launchpad web part to your page.
      3. Select the Configure button located on the web part placeholder to open the properties pane.
      4. Select create data source from the first section in the property pane.

        Note: you will first need to select a site for the data to live. This could be any site but if you choose to select a site different from the current site please ensure that potential users have read access.

      5. Configure the display of the app via any of the below options:
        1. See all link: Include a 'See all' link for Launchpad. This option is used commonly if creating a separate Launchpad Directory page.
        2. Show search: Show or hide the integrated Launchpad app search bar.
        3. Search placeholder: Modify the default text presented in the search bar if the search functionality is enabled.
        4. Allow users to customise their Launchpad: Display the option for users to customise the links in their Launchpad.
        5. Customise link text: Modify the default text presented for customising the Launchpad if the functionality is enabled.

      Add a category

      The Launchpad app supports categories to help organise links in the directory.

      1. As a user with edit permissions to the Launchpad, edit the web part and click on Select links to organise.
      2. This will open the directory. Click on Add category, which appears on the left side of the directory.
      3. Enter a title and then click on the OK button.

      Add a global link

      Links are added one at a time in the Launchpad app.

      1. As a user with edit permissions to the Launchpad, edit the web part and click on Select links to organise.
      2. This will open the directory. Click on Add global link at the top of the directory.
      3. Enter your link details. Options include adding a title, description, URL, icon or custom image, audience targeting, and assigning categories for the link.
      4. Click on the OK button once complete.

      Editing links for all users

      Configure a default set of links for all users in the Launchpad app.

      1. As a user with edit permissions to the Launchpad, edit the web part and click on Select links to organise. This will open the directory.
      2. The right side of the directory is a preview for the editor to see the default links set for all users in the Launchpad.
      3. Click on the + icon next to any link to add this to the Launchpad for all users

        Note: audience targeted links will only display as a default link for users in the membership group. Audience targeted links will still be visible to non-group members in the directory.

      4. Once all default links have been added, links can be re-ordered and pinned in the Links order area.

        Note: pinning a link means that the user cannot remove or re-order the link from its position in the Launchpad.

      Change the appearance

      The Launchpad app offers default appearance settings as well as advanced styling options using custom CSS.

      1. As a user with edit permissions to the Launchpad, edit the web part and expand the Appearance section.
      2. Default appearance options include:
        1. Icon size: Alter the icon size between Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, and Fill Space for all tiles.
        2. Tile appearance: Change the tile appearance to either Fill colour, Outline or No outline. 
        3. Show only icon or image: This option will remove the link title from the tiles.
        4. Limit the number of links to show: No limit will be applied if this option remains disabled.
        5. Maximum number of links to show: Modify the maximum links the user can add to their Launchpad. This option is only available when the 'Limit the number of links to show' setting is enabled.
      3. Advanced styling options allow editors to apply custom CSS to Launchpad. For detailed guidance, visit our custom styles page.

      Create a Launchpad Directory

      The Launchpad Directory app serves as a centralised hub for managing your organisation's links.

      1. If you are not already in edit mode on your page, select Edit on the top right of the page.
      2. Add the Launchpad Directory web part to your page.
      3. Select the Configure button located on the web part placeholder to open the properties pane.
      4. Connect to the data source site you created in the Launchpad web part.

      Launchpad synchronisation

      Share links and user preferences with a Launchpad located on another page to synchronise the experience across multiple Launchpads.

      1. Locate the Launchpad you would like to set up as the parent. As a user with edit permissions to the Launchpad, edit the web part and expand the Source section.
      2. Enable the Synchronise Launchpad links setting.
      3. Select and copy the Launchpad ID value.
      4. Navigate to the Launchpad(s) you would like to synchronise as the child. As a user with edit permissions to the Launchpad, edit the web part and expand the Source section.
      5. Ensure the data source site is the same as the parent Launchpad web part.
      6. Enable the Synchronise Launchpad links setting.
      7. Paste the previously copied Launchpad ID value into the Launchpad ID box. Then, click Apply.
      8. A warning message will appear to state that any configurations made in the child Launchpad web part will be overwritten. Click on Yes to continue. Your Launchpads are now synchronised!