SharePoint Designer Services & Migration Support

Are you still managing workflows and site customization with SharePoint Designer?
You’re not alone. Many organizations across Canada still rely on SharePoint Designer to build custom workflows, automate approvals, and shape their SharePoint environments.

The tool is powerful. But there’s a catch. SharePoint Designer is also a legacy platform. Microsoft has confirmed that SharePoint Designer 2013 will reach end of support on July 14, 2026. That means organizations now have an opportunity to modernize their workflows and transition to more powerful cloud-based automation tools.

What Is SharePoint Designer?

SharePoint Designer is a desktop application developed by Microsoft that allows users to design, customize, and automate SharePoint sites without traditional coding.

Originally introduced in 2007 as the successor to Microsoft FrontPage, it became a popular tool for organizations building customized SharePoint environments.

With SharePoint Designer, teams can:

Create automated workflows
Customize SharePoint site layouts
Manage lists and data sources
Apply corporate branding
Build custom forms and business processes

It works with several SharePoint platforms, including SharePoint On-Premises 2013, 2016, and 2019, as well as classic SharePoint Online sites.

Even today, many organizations rely on MS SharePoint Designer to run essential business workflows and internal applications.

How SharePoint Designer Works

SharePoint Designer connects directly to your SharePoint environment as a desktop application.

Once connected, it allows administrators and power users to modify site components, automate workflows, and manage content structures without writing traditional code.

Users can build logic-based workflows using actions, conditions, and steps. They can also customize page layouts, manage data connections, and design forms that interact with SharePoint lists and libraries.

In short, SharePoint Designer provides a no-code way to customize SharePoint beyond its default capabilities.

SharePoint Designer Versions

Microsoft released three main versions of SharePoint Designer over the years.

SharePoint Designer 2007

The first version replacing Microsoft FrontPage and introducing deeper SharePoint integration.

SharePoint Designer 2010

Introduced workflow automation improvements and better site customization tools.

SharePoint Designer 2010

The final version released by Microsoft. This is the version most organizations still use today.

Microsoft has confirmed that no new versions will be released, making SharePoint Designer a legacy tool that requires careful long-term planning.

Maximize Today, Prepare for Tomorrow

With the right strategy, businesses can transform legacy workflows into scalable automation that integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365.

That’s where Code Creators helps. We provide expert SharePoint Designer services, customization, and support for organizations running classic SharePoint environments. At the same time, we guide teams through the transition to modern Microsoft tools like Power Automate, Power Apps, and SharePoint Online.

Think of SharePoint Designer like a powerful engine that still runs well; but needs a clear upgrade path for the future. Our job is simple: maximize what you have today while preparing you for tomorrow.

Schedule a Strategy Call Now

What Can You Achieve with SharePoint Designer?

When used correctly, SharePoint Designer becomes a powerful platform for building customized SharePoint environments tailored to your business processes.
Here are some of the most valuable capabilities organizations rely on.

Build Custom SharePoint Sites

SharePoint Designer allows organizations to create fully customized SharePoint sites with personalized layouts, navigation structures, and site components.

You can modify master pages, apply custom CSS styling, and design page layouts that align with your corporate branding.

The result is a SharePoint environment that looks and feels like your organization – not a generic template.

Create Powerful Workflows

One of the biggest strengths of SharePoint Designer is workflow automation.

Teams can build approval workflows, automated notifications, document routing, and multi-stage business processes using simple logic conditions.

Instead of managing repetitive tasks manually, workflows automate them in the background.

This dramatically improves productivity and reduces operational delays. Many organizations use it to automate processes such as expense approvals, document reviews, and HR onboarding.

These types of solutions are commonly implemented through SharePoint Workflows.

Manage Data and Information

SharePoint Designer also allows administrators to manage and structure data across SharePoint lists and document libraries.

Organizations can connect SharePoint to internal or external data sources, create custom data views, and organize information into structured dashboards. This improves searchability, simplifies document management, and helps teams locate critical information faster.

By centralizing data inside SharePoint, businesses reduce scattered spreadsheets and disconnected systems while improving operational visibility across departments.

Apply Corporate Branding

SharePoint Designer gives organizations full control over site appearance.

You can customize logos, color schemes, page layouts, headers, footers, and navigation elements to match corporate identity guidelines.

Through proper SharePoint Branding, businesses ensure their intranet and collaboration platforms reflect their brand consistently across departments.

The result is a SharePoint environment that looks professional and strengthens internal engagement.

Create Custom Forms

Many business processes rely on forms for data entry and approvals.

SharePoint Designer allows administrators to build customized forms tailored to specific workflows. These forms simplify data collection, reduce errors, and improve the overall user experience.

Employees interact with intuitive forms rather than complex manual processes.

Limitations of SharePoint Designer

While SharePoint Designer is powerful, it also comes with important limitations.
Understanding these limitations helps organizations make smarter decisions about modernization and migration.

No Support for Modern SharePoint Experience

SharePoint Designer was built for the classic SharePoint experience.
It does not support modern SharePoint pages, modern web parts, or modern site templates available in SharePoint Online.
If your organization plans to adopt the modern SharePoint interface, many SharePoint Designer customizations will need to be rebuilt using modern tools.

End of Life and Deprecation

Microsoft has officially deprecated SharePoint Designer.

SharePoint Designer 2013 will reach end of support on July 14, 2026.
After that date, the tool will no longer receive updates, security fixes, or technical support.
Organizations still relying heavily on SharePoint Designer should begin planning their migration strategy now to avoid disruptions.

Limited SharePoint Online Compatibility

Although SharePoint Designer can connect to SharePoint Online, its functionality is limited.
Many advanced customization capabilities only work with on-premises environments or classic SharePoint sites.
Organizations using modern SharePoint Online environments must rely on newer tools such as Power Automate, Power Apps, or SharePoint Framework.

Requires Desktop Installation

Unlike modern cloud-based tools, SharePoint Designer is a desktop application.
It must be installed on individual machines and cannot be accessed through a browser.
This creates challenges for distributed teams or organizations moving toward cloud-based collaboration platforms.

Migration Path - Moving Beyond SharePoint Designer

As Microsoft phases out SharePoint Designer, organizations need a clear migration strategy. Fortunately, Microsoft has introduced modern tools that replace its functionality while offering greater flexibility and cloud integration. Many organizations are now using SharePoint modernization strategies to transition from classic SharePoint environments to modern Microsoft 365 platforms.

Power Automate for Workflow Automation

Power Automate has become the modern replacement for SharePoint Designer workflows.

Organizations migrating legacy automation often transition to Power Automate workflows for building scalable cloud-based business process automation.

This cloud-based platform allows organizations to automate business processes using visual workflows and hundreds of integrations.

It connects seamlessly with Microsoft 365, Teams, Outlook, and many third-party systems.

For organizations replacing legacy workflows, Power Automate provides a scalable and future-ready automation solution. A structured migration plan helps future-proof business processes and reduce dependency on deprecated tools.

Power Apps for Custom Forms and Applications

Power Apps replace SharePoint Designer’s form customization capabilities. With Power Apps development organizations can build modern business applications connected to SharePoint, Dataverse, and Microsoft 365.

Using Power Apps, businesses can build modern mobile and web applications without traditional development.

These apps integrate with SharePoint lists, Dataverse, and many other data sources.

Through Power Apps, organizations gain a powerful low-code platform for building internal tools and business solutions.

SharePoint Online Modern Experience

The modern SharePoint Online experience offers built-in tools for page design, responsive layouts, and secure collaboration inside Microsoft 365. Users can create pages using drag-and-drop web parts without relying on external tools.

Modern SharePoint Online environments also integrate seamlessly with Microsoft 365 applications, providing a collaborative cloud-based workspace.

SharePoint Framework (SPFx) for Advanced Development

For organizations requiring advanced customization, SharePoint Framework (SPFx) provides a developer-level solution.

SPFx supports modern JavaScript frameworks like React and Angular, allowing developers to create custom web parts, extensions, and applications within SharePoint.

With proper transition planning, organizations can modernize their SharePoint environments while preserving the business logic and automation they rely on today.

SharePoint Platforms Compatible with SharePoint Designer

SharePoint Designer works with several SharePoint environments. However, compatibility varies depending on the platform.

SharePoint On-Premises 2013

Fully supported. This is the most common environment for SharePoint Designer customization.

SharePoint On-Premises 2016

Supported with similar capabilities, though many organizations are planning upgrades

SharePoint On-Premises 2019

Supported and currently the newest on-premises version of SharePoint.

SharePoint Online

Limited compatibility. SharePoint Designer works with classic sites but does not support modern SharePoint customization.

For organizations running legacy environments, we provide optimization and support for SharePoint On-Premises platforms including 2013, 2016, and 2019.

Why Choose Code Creators for SharePoint Designer Services?

Choosing the right SharePoint partner makes a major difference in the success of your project.

At Code Creators, we focus on delivering practical solutions that improve efficiency while preparing your organization for future technologies.

Deep SharePoint Expertise

We specialize in SharePoint development and customization.

Our team understands both classic SharePoint environments and modern Microsoft 365 solutions. This allows us to design solutions that work today while aligning with future migration strategies.

Expert Customization and Optimization

Every organization uses SharePoint differently.

We tailor SharePoint Designer solutions around your business workflows, data management needs, and internal processes. Our goal is to maximize the value of your current platform.

Migration Planning and Guidance

With SharePoint Designer support ending in 2026, organizations must begin planning modernization.

We assess your existing environment, identify workflows that need migration, and design a roadmap to modern solutions such as Power Automate and Power Apps.

End-to-End Support

From consultation and development to deployment and training, we support your SharePoint journey from start to finish.

Our team handles the technical complexity so your team can focus on business operations.

Canadian Expertise

We work with organizations across Canada and understand the business environment local teams operate in.

Our support model ensures responsive service and tailored solutions for Canadian businesses.

Proven Track Record

Code Creators has helped hundreds of organizations improve collaboration, automate processes, and modernize their SharePoint environments.

Our clients trust us to deliver reliable, scalable solutions.

Why Choose Code Creators for SharePoint Designer Services?

Related Services

If you’re planning broader digital transformation initiatives, explore:

SharePoint Online Development

Build modern intranet portals and collaboration platforms using SharePoint Online and Microsoft 365.

SharePoint On-Premises Support

Maintain, optimize, and modernize SharePoint 2013, 2016, and 2019 environments.

SharePoint Power Automate

Automate workflows and business processes using modern cloud-based automation.

SharePoint Branding

Customize the design and appearance of your SharePoint environment with corporate branding.

SharePoint Migration

Plan and execute your transition from legacy SharePoint to modern Microsoft 365 platforms with minimal disruption.

SharePoint Consulting

Work with experienced SharePoint consultants to evaluate your environment, optimize workflows, & plan your modernization strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions About SharePoint Designer

What is SharePoint Designer used for?

SharePoint Designer is used to customize SharePoint sites, automate workflows, manage data sources, and create tailored page layouts without traditional coding. Many organizations rely on it to automate document approvals, HR requests, and internal processes. It enables power users to build workflow automation and custom forms inside classic SharePoint environments. Even today, it remains widely used in legacy SharePoint systems.

Is SharePoint Designer still supported by Microsoft?

SharePoint Designer 2013 is the final version released by Microsoft. Extended support will end on July 14, 2026, after which the tool will no longer receive updates, security fixes, or technical assistance. Organizations that rely heavily on SharePoint Designer should begin planning modernization strategies to ensure workflows and customizations remain supported in the future.

What is replacing SharePoint Designer?

Modern Microsoft tools replace SharePoint Designer functionality. Power Automate replaces workflows, Power Apps replaces custom forms, and modern SharePoint Online replaces site customization tools.

Can SharePoint Designer be used with SharePoint Online?

Yes, but only with classic SharePoint sites. SharePoint Designer does not support the modern SharePoint Online experience, or modern web parts introduced in Microsoft 365. Organizations moving to modern SharePoint environments typically rebuild workflows and customizations using tools like Power Automate, Power Apps, or SharePoint Framework.

How much does it cost to hire a SharePoint Designer expert?

The cost of hiring a SharePoint Designer expert depends on the complexity of workflows, site customization requirements, and integrations involved. Smaller workflow automation projects may take only a few days, while larger modernization initiatives require structured planning. At Code Creators, we offer free consultations to evaluate your environment and recommend the most cost-effective solution.

Should I migrate from SharePoint Designer to Power Automate?

Yes. With end-of-support approaching, organizations should start migrating workflows to Power Automate. It offers better integration, cloud reliability, and long-term support from Microsoft.

What SharePoint versions work with SharePoint Designer?

SharePoint Designer works with SharePoint On-Premises 2013, 2016, and 2019 environments. It can also connect to classic SharePoint Online sites but does not support modern SharePoint Online experiences. Organizations running legacy environments often continue using SharePoint Designer while planning modernization or migration strategies.

Can Code Creators help with my SharePoint Designer project?

Absolutely. We provide SharePoint Designer consulting, workflow automation, site customization, branding, migration planning, and full implementation support.

Let’s Talk

Still using SharePoint Designer and wondering what the future looks like? Whether you need expert customization, workflow automation, or a clear migration path to modern Microsoft tools, our SharePoint specialists can help.

Request a free SharePoint consultation today and start planning your modernization strategy.

Schedule Your Migration Strategy Call

Latest NewsBlog Posts

01 Apr.

SharePoint Designer Services: Expert Customization & Migration Support