SharePoint Designer was one of the popular tools used by SharePoint developers, especially in the classic versions of SharePoint.
However, as technology and business needs have evolved, Microsoft has shifted its focus toward more robust, cloud-based solutions, notably Power Automate and the modern SharePoint experience.
In this tutorial, I will explain what SharePoint Designer 2013 is, its historical significance, why it’s no longer recommended, and what alternatives organizations should consider today.
What is SharePoint Designer 2013?
SharePoint Designer 2013 is a specialized HTML editor and web design tool developed by Microsoft specifically for SharePoint environments. Its primary functions included:
- Workflow Creation: Automating business processes using SharePoint 2010 and 2013 workflow engines.
- Site Customization: Editing master pages, page layouts, and site navigation.
- Data Integration: Connecting external data sources, such as SQL databases and web services, to SharePoint lists and libraries.
- Content Management: Managing site content, permissions, and structure.
For years, SharePoint Designer 2013 was the go-to tool for power users and developers alike, offering deep customization capabilities without requiring advanced coding skills.
Download SharePoint Designer 2013
You can download SharePoint Designer 2013 from the link below:
After installation, to open the SharePoint site, open SharePoint Designer 2013, then click on the Open Site button and give the site URL to open the site. It will ask for credentials to connect to the SharePoint site.
Why SharePoint Designer 2013 is No Longer Recommended
While SharePoint Designer 2013 was powerful in its time, the landscape of SharePoint and Microsoft 365 has undergone significant changes. Several factors contribute to why SharePoint Designer is no longer recommended:
1. End of Support and Updates
Microsoft has ceased active development and support for SharePoint Designer. The last version, SharePoint Designer 2013, is the final release, and no new updates or features are planned. This means security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues will not be addressed in the future, putting organizations at risk.
2. Modern SharePoint Sites Incompatibility
Modern SharePoint sites, introduced with SharePoint Online and SharePoint Server 2019, feature a fundamentally different architecture that focuses on responsive design, a simplified user experience, and integration with Microsoft 365 services.
SharePoint Designer 2013 cannot be used to customize modern sites, as it was built for the classic SharePoint experience.
3. Workflow Deprecation
Microsoft has deprecated SharePoint 2010 and 2013 workflows in SharePoint Online. Organizations relying on SharePoint Designer workflows are encouraged to migrate to modern automation tools, such as Power Automate, as legacy workflows may cease to function or become unsupported.
Limitations of SharePoint Designer in Modern SharePoint
If your organization uses modern SharePoint sites, it’s important to know:
- No Customization Support: SharePoint Designer 2013 cannot edit or customize modern pages, lists, or libraries.
- Limited Workflow Capabilities: Modern sites do not support the classic workflow engines used by SharePoint Designer.
- Risk of Breaking Sites: Attempting to force customizations on modern sites using SharePoint Designer can break site functionality or create security issues.
Conclusion
SharePoint Designer 2013 served as a powerful tool for customizing and automating classic SharePoint environments. However, with the evolution of SharePoint into a modern, cloud-based platform, SharePoint Designer has become obsolete. It is no longer supported, cannot be used with modern SharePoint sites, and poses ongoing security and compatibility risks.
Organizations are strongly encouraged to migrate their workflows and customizations to Power Automate and leverage the modern SharePoint experience for a more secure, scalable, and future-ready environment. Embracing these modern tools ensures continued productivity and alignment with Microsoft’s vision for digital transformation.
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After working for more than 18 years in Microsoft technologies like SharePoint, Microsoft 365, and Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI), I thought will share my SharePoint expertise knowledge with the world. Our audiences are from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, etc. For my expertise knowledge and SharePoint tutorials, Microsoft has been awarded a Microsoft SharePoint MVP (12 times). I have also worked in companies like HP, TCS, KPIT, etc.
