A Vertical Section is an optional 4th layout column on modern SharePoint pages that displays content in a narrow right-hand panel, separate from the main page canvas, making it ideal for supporting, persistent, or high-visibility information.

Common Use Cases

• Quick links and navigation panels: display shortcuts, resources, contacts, or related links that stay visible alongside main content
• Announcements and callouts: highlight alerts, reminders, deadlines, or promotional content without interrupting the main page layout
• Contact and ownership info: show page owners, department contacts, help desk details, or “How can we help?” panels
• Tools and widgets: surface weather, events, countdowns, Viva Engage, or embedded apps for fast access
• Branding and engagement elements: add visuals, campaign messaging, tips, or employee engagement components

Benefits

• Improved page structure: separates primary content from supporting information for cleaner, more readable pages
• Better visibility for important content: keeps key links and callouts in a consistent, high-attention area
• Enhanced intranet design: enables modern, magazine-style layouts without custom code
• Flexible and easy to update: supports most standard web parts and can be edited directly by page owners
• Fully out-of-the-box: no development or third-party tools required

Key Considerations

• Only one vertical section per page: SharePoint supports a single vertical section, positioned on the far right side of the page
• Full-width section behavior: if a full-width section is also added to a page, the vertical section automatically moves below it
• Desktop-first experience: on mobile devices, vertical section content moves below the main page canvas
• Limited width: best suited for lightweight content like links, callouts, cards, and small visuals
• Web part compatibility: all web parts are supported, but some are better suited for full-width sections
• Use with purpose: Overloading the vertical section can clutter the page and reduce visual clarity