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Collapsible Sections

Collapsible Sections turn any horizontal section on a modern SharePoint page into an accordion that readers expand and collapse on demand. The capability is built into the section properties panel, with no code or third-party tools required, and it works with whatever web parts the section contains, including text, images, lists, forms, and videos. Each section gets its own title, heading level, divider line, icon alignment, and default state, so long pages stay clean and scannable.
Related Features
Flexible Sections, Page, Page Sections, Vertical Section
See It In Action

Common Use Cases

  • FAQs and help content: collapse answers to reduce scrolling and cognitive overload
  • Policy and procedure pages: hide detailed steps unless users need them
  • Departmental pages: group information by topic (HR, IT, Finance, Benefits, Training) for easier consumption
  • Knowledge bases: present large volumes of information in a digestible format
  • Audience-specific content: separate content for different roles or groups (employees, managers, new hires, vendors)
  • Onboarding pages: reveal guidance progressively instead of all at once
  • Training and documentation hubs: structure step-by-step guides, troubleshooting, and learning resources

Benefits

  • Cleaner page layout: reduces visual clutter and prevents long pages from feeling overwhelming
  • Improved user experience: lets users quickly find and focus on only the content relevant to them
  • Better content organization: encourages logical grouping of related information
  • Enhanced mobile experience: makes long pages easier to consume on smaller screens
  • Fully out-of-the-box: no code, scripts, or third-party tools required

How It Works

  • Built into the section, not a web part: collapsible behavior is a property of the page section itself, so switching on Make this section collapsible folds the whole section, with every web part inside it, under one clickable title bar
  • One click reveals or hides a whole topic: readers click the section title or chevron to expand or collapse everything in the section, so they pull up only the content they need
  • Group mixed content under one heading: text, images, a document library view, and a form can all sit in the same collapsible section and open together as a single topic
  • Let readers explore at their own pace: each section opens and closes independently, so several can be open at once and one section never affects another
  • Shape each section to fit the page: heading levels keep titles in the page hierarchy for accessibility and screen readers, while divider lines and chevron placement help readers see where one topic ends and the next begins
  • Decide what readers see first: set each section to load expanded or collapsed so must-see content is open on arrival and supporting detail stays tucked away until needed
  • Link straight to a section: section titles get automatic anchor links, like Text web part headings, so you can point people directly to the right part of a long page

Limits and Nuances

  • Whole section only: the entire section collapses as one unit; individual web parts inside it cannot be collapsed separately
  • Not just text: images, lists, forms, videos, and most other web parts collapse along with the section
  • Titles carry the weight: write titles that clearly describe the hidden content, because the title is the only clue readers get before expanding
  • Set the default state deliberately: collapsed by default usually works best on long pages, expanded for must-see content
  • Hidden content stays searchable: everything inside collapsed sections is fully indexed and still appears in SharePoint search results
  • Links and search land in default state: an anchor link or a search hit to a collapsed section opens the page, but readers still have to click the chevron to reveal the matching content
  • Avoid overuse: a page of ten closed accordions feels fragmented and buries content readers actually need

Common Questions About Collapsible Sections

What are collapsible sections in SharePoint?

Collapsible sections are an out-of-the-box feature of modern SharePoint pages that turns a page section into an accordion. Readers click the section title to expand or collapse the content underneath, which keeps long pages clean and scannable. The behavior is enabled per section through the section properties panel, with options for the title, heading level, divider line, icon alignment, and default state.

How do I make a section collapsible on a SharePoint page?

Edit the page, select the section, and open Edit properties from the section toolbar. Switch on the Make this section collapsible toggle, give the section a title, and pick a heading level. You can also show or hide the divider line, align the chevron icon left or right, and decide whether the section opens expanded or collapsed by default. Republish the page and the accordion is live.

Is content inside a collapsed section searchable?

Yes. SharePoint indexes everything on the page regardless of whether a section is expanded or collapsed, so text hidden inside a closed accordion still surfaces in search results. One nuance to know: when a reader clicks through from search, the page opens with sections in their default state, so they may need to expand the section to see the matching text.

Can I collapse a single web part instead of a whole section?

No. Collapsible behavior applies at the section level, so every web part inside the section expands and collapses together. If you want independent accordions for two pieces of content, place each one in its own one-column section and make each section collapsible separately. That gives readers fine-grained control while keeping everything out-of-the-box.

Should sections be expanded or collapsed by default?

It depends on the page. For long reference pages like FAQs, policies, and knowledge bases, collapsed by default works best because readers scan the titles and open only what they need. For shorter pages, or for a critical first section like an announcement, expanded by default makes sure nobody misses it. You set the default per section, so you can mix both on one page.

Do collapsible sections require custom code or third-party tools?

No – collapsible sections are fully out-of-the-box in SharePoint Online, configured entirely from the section properties panel. That makes them one of the easiest wins for cleaning up a cluttered intranet page. Many of the LookBook 365 examples Greg builds use collapsible sections on FAQ, policy, and onboarding pages, all without a single line of code.