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Oct 28 • 3 min read

I asked Copilot to clean up SharePoint | The Simply SharePoint Edit

Watch the clean-up, copy the six prompts and see how I reused the process as a skill.
Simply SharePoint

THIS WEEK’S EDIT · 29 OCTOBER 2026

The Simply SharePoint Edit

SharePoint + Copilot. Real work. A little less file drama.

Hi there,

Final_final_v3 has had a long career. It is time we gave the library a little direction.

This week, I put Copilot to work on a messy SharePoint document library. We added structure, reviewed the files and saved the process so we could try it again.

That is the direction I’m taking Simply SharePoint: showing you what we can actually accomplish with SharePoint and AI, with the thinking behind the work left in.

In this week’s edit…

  • Watch: a messy SharePoint library gets a Copilot-assisted clean-up.
  • Reuse: save the checked process as a skill and try it on another library.
  • Read: six prompts, the SharePoint edit and what I actually used Copilot for.
  • Start: the SharePoint Ready Clean-Up Kit, plus help if you need it.

01 · THE MAIN EVENT

A messy library. A smarter clean-up.

I asked Copilot to help. Then I checked its work.

In my latest YouTube walkthrough, we start with unclear filenames and very little context. I add Document Type, Department, Document Owner and Document Status, then ask Copilot to help classify the documents and improve their names.

Next come two temporary clean-up columns and seven views. The findings show what needs attention, with evidence beside the recommendation. Then we save the process as a skill and run it on another library.

Play the video: How to clean up a SharePoint document library with Copilot
▶   Watch the clean-up on YouTube
Why it matters: You can see the whole process, including the confirmation steps. A possible duplicate still needs checking. An archive candidate still needs a decision. Copilot helps us do the review; we keep responsibility for the result.
 

02 · FROM MY DESK

Tried it. Here’s the verdict.

The second library is where it gets interesting.

After checking the first run, I saved the process as a site skill called Replicate Document Cleanup Library. In the next library, it brought together the metadata columns, clean-up fields, views, formatting and proposed findings.

It still asked for confirmation before applying changes. That is a useful part of the process to watch, especially if you want to repeat the work across libraries.

My verdict: The value is making a careful review easier to repeat. Agree the library’s purpose and metadata first, check the proposals, and keep owner decisions visible. A reusable skill still needs your judgement.

Get the six prompts and step-by-step process →

 

03 · READ, WATCH OR LISTEN

Fresh from Simply SharePoint

Your SharePoint is part of Copilot’s knowledge base.

That makes the quality of the information worth our attention. Who owns it? Is it current? Which source should people trust? Who should have access?

These recent pieces join the dots between better foundations and useful AI:

Your SharePoint Needs an Edit →
Where I would start before asking AI to work with the content.

What I Actually Used Copilot for This Fortnight →
Planning solutions, improving explanations, troubleshooting and finding earlier work.

Also on YouTube: three ways to put your content to work

The companion possibilities video explores a management brief, a library review brief and a first-week onboarding guide. These are illustrative concepts, showing what useful workplace information could look like.

Find “SharePoint + Copilot: 3 Ways to Put Your Content to Work” on the channel →

04 · PUT IT INTO PRACTICE

Your next smart move

SharePoint Ready Clean-Up Kit

Want a plan beside you while you work? The Clean-Up Kit gives you a seven-day PDF guide, copy-and-paste prompts and an Excel workbook to track the review.

It is designed to help you work through one library and repeat the process. Manual steps are included, so you can use it with or without Copilot. Explore it on the new SharePoint Ready page.

Explore SharePoint Ready →
SHAREPOINT, WITH A LITTLE PERSONALITY

The last word

Every good wardrobe edit has a “keep”, a “review” and a “why do I still own this?” pile. Your library deserves the same attention. Just get the document owner’s decision before anything leaves the building.

Need help with your own library, site or solution? Email me or see how we can work together.

Until the next edit,

Liza Tinker

Microsoft MVP for SharePoint | Simply SharePoint

Good information never goes out of style.

Copilot capabilities vary by availability, licensing, configuration and permissions. Check findings and confirm proposed changes before applying them.

simplysharepoint.com

Simplifying SharePoint, Maximising Microsoft 365

Subscribe if you want to simplify SharePoint and make the most of Microsoft 365! Every Friday, you'll get practical tips, best practices, and real-world solutions delivered straight to your inbox. Stay ahead with expert insights, time-saving strategies, and exclusive content to help you collaborate smarter and work more efficiently.

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