# External portal of Service Desk

> [HTML Version](service-desk-portal.html)

The **Service Desk** solution includes a default [external portal](service-portal.md) that allows users to create requests, view available services, and read news and articles.  

The portal contains the following preconfigured components:  



1. Navigation menu for the portal. 

2. Button for [creating a request](add-request-from-the-portal.md).  

3. Homepage. External users can access the following information:  

- A search bar for requests, services, and articles. To search, enter the name of a request, service, or article and select **Enter**. Matching items will appear in the dropdown list.  
  
Portal users only see service categories specified in their [profile](servicedesk-external-users.md#add-external-users). Clicking on a service allows them to view its description and [create a request](add-request-from-the-portal.md) using the **+ Request** button.  
  
To view an article or request, click on its title.

- **Services** section. Displays [services](services.md) recently used for creating requests or marked as favorites. Clicking on a service redirects to the request creation form. The **Service Catalog** button leads to a full list of available services.

- **#Activity stream** section. Lists all messages received in the user’s [#Activity stream](360014162972.md).

- **News** section. Click on a news title to view its full text. The **All News** button opens a page with the complete list of published news. 

- **My Requests** section. Track the status of your requests and click on a request title to view details. The **All Requests** button opens a page with your full request history. 

- **Articles **section. Displays frequently viewed [articles](articles.md) and those marked as favorites. Click on an article to read it fully. You can rate an article or add it to favorites using the star icon. The **All Articles **button opens a page with the complete list of available articles.  

4. **Service Catalog** page. Displays all available [services](services.md) grouped by [catalog](service-catalogs.md).  

5. **Tasks **page. View and complete assigned tasks, such as updating a request.  

6. **Requests** page. Lists all your [requests](applications.md). Click on a request to view or edit its details.

7. **News** page. Browse published company [news](servicedesk-catalogs.md#news). 

8. **Articles** page. Find useful articles and guides from the company’s [knowledge base](articles.md).  

If the solution is [unlocked](block_solution.md), the [system administrator](360006871932.md#administrators) can:  

- [Modify portal pages](portal-setting.md#template).  

- Add new pages —if the solution includes the portal personalization option. For example, you can create a page and place a [form for customers’ feedback](set-feedback-form.md) on it. Submitted feedback will be recorded in the [Feedback](servicedesk-catalogs.md#reviews) app.