Skip to content
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

Getting started (Spotlight)

How to configure and use the Spotlight app by Accelerator 365

The Spotlight app is designed for high-impact announcements on you intranet with a clear call to action. It helps you draw attention to important messages while allowing users to dismiss them once they’ve taken action, keeping your intranet clean and focused.

Jump to

    Configuring the app for the first time

    To add the Spotlight app:

    1. Select Edit on your SharePoint page.

    2. Select + Add a new web part, then choose the Spotlight app.

    3. Once added, the Spotlight app will display as a placeholder and is ready for you to add content.

    Create a data source

    The Spotlight app uses a background SharePoint list to log the users who have dismissed the announcement. Whilst you won’t need to interact with this list, the lists are essential for the app to function, to ensure the Spotlight isn't shown again to users who have dismissed it.

    1. In the property pane, select the Create data source button, which will create a data source on your site.

      Spotlight - Create data source

    Note:

    • Only users in the Site Owners group can create a data source.
    • You can only create one data source per site.

    Choosing a layout

    Spotlight supports two layouts:

    • Standard layout – A full-height, high-impact layout ideal for major announcements

    • Banner layout – A more compact option for subtle but noticeable messages

    You can switch layouts either from the property pane, or directly from the toolbar on the web part.

    Spotlight - Layout

    Adding text content

    You can add the following text elements to Spotlight:

    • Title – The primary message

    • Description – Optional supporting text for additional context

    The Description is turned off by default, but you can enable it in the property pane if you need more space to explain the message.

    You can also control how the text appears, including:

    • Horizontal alignment – Left, center, or right

    • Vertical alignment (Standard layout only) – Top, center, or bottom

    • Text color for the title, description, and call to action, using your SharePoint theme colors or standard SharePoint colors

    Spotlight - Text

    Adding a background color or image

    By default, Spotlight uses a color block background. Available colors include:

    • Your SharePoint site theme colors

    • Standard SharePoint colors

    Alternatively, you can add a custom background image. When using an image, you can:

    • Enable or disable a background gradient to improve text readability

    • Add alt text to support accessibility requirements

    Spotlight - Image

    Adding a call to action

    Spotlight is designed to drive action. You can:

    • Add a link to a page, document, or external URL

    • Choose whether to display call to action text, and if enabled, customize the text directly in the property pane

    • Decide whether the link should open in a new tab

    Spotlight - CTA

    Managing dismissals

    Spotlight can be made dismissible so users can hide messages once they’ve acted on them.

    • When enabled, a dismiss (X) icon appears in the top-right corner of the web part.

    • Dismissing hides Spotlight for that user, and page content beneath automatically moves up.

    • You can reset dismissals for all users from the property pane to show the same Spotlight message again.

    Turning the off "Allow user to dismiss spotlight" setting removes the dismissal icon, keeping Spotlight always visible to users.

    Spotlight - Dismissals

    Audience targeting

    Spotlight supports SharePoint audience targeting.

    When enabled, you can target Spotlight announcements to specific groups of users, ensuring the message is only shown to the most relevant audience.

    Spotlight - Audience targeting

    Related articles