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Connecting SailPoint and Microsoft SharePoint Online

To connect SailPoint with Microsoft SharePoint Online, perform the following tasks:

Adding the Source in SailPoint

To connect to SailPoint, perform the following steps. Once the connection is made, you can configure it to meet your company's needs.

Important

By default, the provisioning feature is disabled, and the connector only supports read-only operations. To support provisioning operations, you must manually enable the feature in the source configuration.

To configure a new source:

  1. Sign in to SailPoint.
  2. Go to Admin > Connections > Sources.
  3. Select Create New.
  4. Search for the connector by entering the name in the search box, and then select Actions.

  5. In the Actions dropdown list, select the setup method:

    • Express Setup - Quickly create a read-only connection to your target system by providing minimal configurations and authentication. On completion, aggregation is automatically started.

      Note

      Express Setup supports Credential Providers. For information on supported credential providers and configuration, refer to Credential Providers. For more information, contact your SailPoint Customer Service Manager.

    • Standard Setup - Provide detailed basic configuration to create the source. Once the source is created, continue with source setup.

Configuring a Source Using Express Setup

Express Setup minimizes the initial configuration process so you can quickly connect the application and immediately begin aggregating user account and entitlement data.

  1. Review the directions and select Start Express Setup.

  2. Review the pre-populated Source Name, Source Owner, and Description. To update, select Edit.

    Note

    The source name must be unique. You can change these settings later in the source configuration.

  3. Select Virtual Appliance. A virtual appliance is a Linux-based virtual machine that connects to your sources and apps using SailPoint APIs, connectors, and integrations. For more information about configuring and deploying virtual appliances, refer to SailPoint Virtual Appliances.

  4. (Optional) If enabled for your organization, select the Use a Credential Provider checkbox to manage the source's authentication using a credential provider.

    Note

    To add a Credential Provider in SailPoint, go to Admin > Connections > Credential Providers. For more information about credential providers, refer to Credential Providers.

  5. Configure the authentication to allow SailPoint to connect to the source. For more information, refer to the Connection Settings section.

  6. Select Finish.

    After a successful test connection, the system creates your source and prompts you to run an aggregation.

    • If you want to aggregate now, select Aggregate.

      • To see the latest account aggregation history, go to Account Management > Account Aggregation.
      • To see the list of aggregated source accounts, go to Account Management > Accounts.

    • If you want to aggregate later, select Exit. This returns you to the Sources page. Your new source is listed, but contains no accounts or aggregation history yet.

Configuring a Source Using Standard Setup

Use Standard Setup to configure the connector for full feature support.

  1. In the Source Name field, enter a unique and descriptive name for your source. Source names cannot exceed 128 characters.
  2. In the Description field, provide additional details about the source to help distinguish it from similar sources. This field allows a maximum of 2,000 characters.
  3. In the Source Owner field, begin typing the name of an owner. Matches appear after you type two or more letters. For more information, refer to Assigning a Source Owner.

  4. Under Connection Type, select Direct Connection or Flat File.

    • Direct Connection - A direct connection fetches data from the Virtual Appliance Cluster you choose as the application connector for the source. A direct connection configuration allows for real-time updates. For more information about configuring and deploying virtual appliances, refer to the Virtual Appliance Reference Guide.
    • Flat File - Select the flat file if no connector is available, or if another system restricts the connection. This option allows only reading and aggregating data as a generic/delimited application. Provisioning activity is unsupported, and additional configuration pages like connection settings and aggregation settings are unavailable.

  5. If you selected Direct Connection, in Virtual Appliance Cluster, select the virtual appliance cluster that will be used as the application connector for the source.

  6. (Optional) Select a governance group to grant its members source or role sub-admin level oversight of the source and its access. For more information, refer to Creating and Managing Governance Groups.
  7. If this source represents a primary system containing your organization's personnel records, select the Authoritative Source checkbox. For more information, refer to Creating Identity Profiles.
  8. Select Continue. The source is created, and you are navigated to the Source Setup > Base Configuration page. Continue to configure your connected source there.

Base Configuration

Provide the base configuration parameters. Information you entered in the Create New Source dialog is automatically entered into the fields in the Base Configuration page. You can edit this information if necessary.

  1. Enter a unique name and description for the source.

  2. In the Source Owner dropdown list, select the identity that owns this source.

    • To find a source owner, begin entering their name.

  3. In the Virtual Appliance Cluster dropdown list, select the virtual appliance to use when communicating with your organization's systems. For more information, refer to SailPoint Virtual Appliances.

  4. (Optional) If enabled for your organization, select the Use a Credential Provider checkbox to manage the source's authentication using a credential provider.

    Note

    To add a credential provider, go to Admin > Connections > Credential Providers. For more information about credential providers, refer to Credential Providers.

  5. Configure the authentication to allow SailPoint to connect to the source. Refer to Connection Settings for more information.

  6. (Optional) In the Governance Group for Source Management dropdown list, select a governance group to associate with this source. For more information about governance groups, refer to Associating Governance Groups with a Source.

  7. (Optional) Choose whether to enable or disable provisioning for the source. Provisioning is disabled by default.

    • Enable Provisioning - Set the toggle to Enabled to allow the source to create, update, and deactivate accounts in the connected source system.

    • Disable Provisioning - Set the toggle to Disabled to disable provisioning for the source. Disabling provisioning will prevent the creation, updating, or deactivating of accounts on this source.

  8. Select Save.

Connection Settings

To configure a direct connection between the Microsoft SharePoint Online source and SailPoint, specify the authentication type and grant type.

Note

Microsoft recommends using JWT Certificate Credentials for authentication, as other grant types (Client Credentials, SAML Bearer Assertion, Refresh Token/Auth Code) are deprecated and will stop working after April 2, 2026. Use JWT Certificate Credentials for all new and existing source configurations.

JWT Certificate Credentials (Recommended)

The JWT Certificate Credentials method supports authentication based on a JWT assertion prepared from a certificate and private key.

JWT Certificate Credentials

  1. Select JWT Certificate Credentials from the Grant Type drop-down list.
  2. Enter the Client ID of the application registered in Microsoft Entra ID. For more information, refer to Registering an Application Using the Azure AD Portal.
  3. Enter the valid Certificate details of the source created on the SharePoint Online managed system.
  4. Enter the valid Private Key text that is used to sign the JWT assertion and the corresponding Private Key Password. For more information, refer to Creating OAuth2.0 JWT Certificate Credentials.
  5. Enter the SharePoint Online Domain Name. For example, contoso.sharepoint.com.

  6. In Authentication Endpoint URL, enter the URL that corresponds to the Microsoft Azure Active Directory authentication endpoint deployed on a national cloud.

    For example, for the US government, enter https://login.microsoftonline.us, or for China enter https://login.partner.microsoftonline.cn.

  7. Select Save.

Client Credentials (Deprecated)

Use the Client Credentials with the ID and Secret parameters.

Client Credentials

  1. Select Client Credentials from the Grant Type drop-down list.
  2. Enter the Client ID and Client Secret of the source created on the SharePoint Online managed system. For more information, refer to Registering Application with OAuth Client Credentials from SharePoint Portal.
  3. Enter the SharePoint Online Domain Name. For example, contoso.sharepoint.com.

  4. (Optional) In Authentication Endpoint URL, enter the URL that corresponds to the Microsoft Azure Active Directory authentication endpoint deployed on a national cloud.

    For example, for the US government, enter https://login.microsoftonline.us, or for China enter https://login.accesscontrol.chinacloudapi.cn.

  5. Select Save.

Refresh Token / Auth Code (Deprecated)

The Auth Code / Refresh Token grant type is a client credentials-based authentication protocol. In addition to client credentials, it uses a Refresh Token to authenticate.

Refresh Token / Auth Code

  1. Select Refresh Token / Auth Code from the Grant Type drop-down list.
  2. Enter the Client ID and Client Secret of the source created on the SharePoint Online managed system. For more information, refer to Registering Application with OAuth Client Credentials from SharePoint Portal.
  3. Enter the valid Refresh Token obtained after registering the app with the Azure Active Directory Portal. For more information, refer to Generating a Refresh Token.
  4. Enter the SharePoint Online Domain Name. For example, contoso.sharepoint.com.

  5. In Authentication Endpoint URL, enter the URL that corresponds to the Microsoft Azure Active Directory authentication endpoint deployed on a national cloud.

    For example, for the US government, enter https://login.microsoftonline.us, or for China enter https://login.partner.microsoftonline.cn.

  6. Select Save.

SAML Bearer Assertion (Deprecated)

The SAML Bearer Assertion method is password-based user authentication with ADFS environment. SAML assertion issued by ADFS after authentication is used to get the access token from the Azure Active Directory.

SAML Bearer Assertion SAML Bearer Assertion

  1. Select SAML Bearer Assertion from the Grant Type drop-down list.
  2. Enter the Client ID and Client Secret of the source created on the SharePoint Online managed system. For more information, refer to Registering Application with OAuth Client Credentials from SharePoint Portal.
  3. Enter the SAML Username and corresponding Password for SAML authorization.
  4. Enter the server URL for the Authorization Endpoint.
  5. Enter the Request Body details for the SAML Bearer assertion. For more information, refer to SAML Request Body.
  6. Enter the SharePoint Online Domain Name. For example, contoso.sharepoint.com.

  7. In Authentication Endpoint URL, enter the URL that corresponds to the Microsoft Azure Active Directory authentication endpoint deployed on a national cloud.

    For example, for the US government, enter https://login.microsoftonline.us, or for China enter https://login.partner.microsoftonline.cn.

  8. Select Save.

OAuth 2.0 Authentication Methods

The Microsoft SharePoint Online connector supports OAuth 2.0 authentication with the following grant types:

Note

Microsoft recommends using JWT Certificate Credentials for authentication, as other grant types (Client Credentials, SAML Bearer Assertion, Refresh Token/Auth Code) are deprecated and will stop working after April 2, 2026. Use JWT Certificate Credentials for all new and existing source configurations.

  • JWT Certificate Credentials (Recommended)

  • Refresh Token/Auth Code (Deprecated)

  • SAML Bearer Assertion (Deprecated)

JWT Certificate Credentials and Refresh Token/Auth Code

Prerequisites

  • Obtain the Client ID and Client Secret from Microsoft Entra ID by registering the application. For more information, refer to Registering an Application Using the Azure AD Portal.

    Note

    It is mandatory to use the Global Admin and Admin of all Sites User in SharePoint Online to create the application in Microsoft Entra ID.

  • If the grant type is JWT:

    The Certificate (self-signed or CA signed) must be uploaded and registered at the Azure Active Directory portal. To register the certificate with the Microsoft Identity Platform, complete the following:

    1. Sign in to the Azure Portal.
    2. In the Azure app registrations for client application, select the client application.

    3. Select Certificates & secrets.

      Select Upload certificate and then select the certificate file that you want to upload.

    4. Select Add.

    5. Obtain the values for the following:

      • Private Key: The private key text file.
      • Private Key Password: The password for the private key.
      • Certificate: The text file of the same certificate that was uploaded to the Azure portal.

  • If the grant type is Refresh Token/Auth Code, generate a refresh token. For more information, refer to Generating a Refresh Token.

Assign the following required permissions to the application:

  1. In the Azure Active Directory console of the registered app, select API permissions.
  2. Select Add a permission.

  3. On the Request API permissions page, a list of supported APIs is displayed.

    • Microsoft Graph is under the commonly used Microsoft API.
    • Azure Active Directory Graph under supported Legacy API.
    • SharePoint is under Microsoft API.

  4. Under What type of permissions does your application require?, select the permission type as Delegated or Application. See the following table for the type:

    Permission Type Purpose
    Microsoft GRAPH API
    Directory.ReadWrite.All Delegated Read, Update, and Delete Group
    Add membership
    Directory.AccessAsUser.All Delegated Change Password and Delete User
    User.ReadWrite.All Delegated Read and Update any User
    Group.ReadWrite.All Delegated Read and write all groups
    GroupMember.ReadWrite.All Delegated Read and write group memberships
    Sites.FullControl.All Delegated Have full control of all site collections
    SharePoint Online API
    AllSites.FullControl Delegated Have full control of all site collections
    AllSites.Manage Delegated Read and write items and lists in all site collections
    Sites.FullControl.All Application Have full control of all site collections
    Sites.Search.All Delegated Run search queries as a user
    User.ReadWrite.All Delegated Read and write user profiles
    User.ReadWrite.All Application Read and write user profiles

  5. Under Select permissions, select the required permissions.

  6. Select Add permissions.
  7. In Grant consent, select Grant Admin Consent for your configuration and directory. Select Yes when prompted in the pop-up dialog box.
SAML Bearer Assertion (Deprecated)

Prerequisite

  • Obtain the Client ID and Client Secret from Microsoft Entra ID by registering the application. For more information, refer to Registering an Application Using the Azure AD Portal.

    Note

    It is mandatory to use the Global Admin and Admin of all Sites User in SharePoint Online to create the application in Microsoft Entra ID.

Note the following:

  • The authentication user must be synchronized in Azure Active Directory.

  • Assign the user the User Administrator permission role in Azure Active Directory.

    Note

    It is mandatory to use the Global Admin and Admin of all Sites User in SharePoint Online to create the application in Azure Active Directory.

  • You must enable the ADFS endpoint required to authenticate the user.

  • The ADFS machine time zone must be in sync with Azure time zone, that is, UTC.

Assign the following required permissions to the application:

  1. In the Azure Active Directory console of the registered app, select API permissions.
  2. Select Add a permission.

  3. On the Request API permissions page, a list of supported APIs is displayed.

    • Microsoft Graph is under the commonly used Microsoft API.
    • Azure Active Directory Graph under supported Legacy API.
    • SharePoint is under Microsoft API.

  4. Under What type of permissions does your application require?, select the permission type as Delegated or Application. See the following table for the type:

    Permission Type Purpose
    Microsoft GRAPH API
    Directory.ReadWrite.All Delegated Read and write directory data
    Group.Read.All Delegated / Application Read all groups
    Group.ReadWrite.All Delegated / Application Read and write all groups
    GroupMember.Read.All Delegated / Application Read group memberships
    GroupMember.ReadWrite.All Delegated / Application Read and write group memberships
    Sites.FullControl.All Delegated / Application Have full control of all site collections
    Site.Manage.All
    Site.Read.All Delegated / Application Read items in all site collections
    Site.ReadWrite.All Delegated / Application Edit or delete items in all site collections
    User.Invite.All Application Invite guest users to the organization
    User.Read Delegated Sign in and read user profile
    SharePoint Online API
    AllSites.FullControl Delegated Have full control of all site collections

  5. Under Select permissions, select the required permissions.

  6. Select Add permissions.
  7. In Grant consent, select Grant Admin Consent for your configuration and directory. Select Yes when prompted in the pop-up dialog box.

Aggregation Settings

Use the aggregation parameters to set up the aggregation of data from the managed sites.

Screenshot

Aggregation Settings Aggregation Settings

  1. Enable Manage All Sites if you want to manage all the sites.
  2. In Include Site Collections, enter the list of all the site collections that are to be managed.
  3. In Exclude Site Collections, enter the list of all the site collections that are to be excluded.
  4. Enter the Page Size. This is the number of objects to fetch in a single page for a Site Collection. The default size is 500.
  5. Select Save.

IQService Settings

IQService is a native Windows service that enables SailPoint to participate in a Windows environment and access information only available through Windows APIs. It is a lightweight service that must be installed on any supported Windows Server that has connectivity to the target systems you want to manage in SailPoint.

The IQService is used for the Before and After Script and connector rules for the Microsoft SharePoint Online connector.

Screenshot

IQService Settings

Download IQService

To download the IQService installation complete the following:

  1. Select the Download IQService button.

    Download, install, and configure IQService by following the steps mentioned in the Identity Security Cloud IQService Administrator's Guide for Installing and Registering IQService.

Screenshot

IQService configuration

Configure the IQService details:

  1. (Optional) In the IQService Host field, enter the host name or IP address of the system where IQService is installed.
  2. (Optional) Enter the IQService Port number used to connect. If you enable TLS, configure the corresponding IQService TLS port. The default is 5050.
  3. (Optional) Enter the IQService User for client authentication.
  4. (Optional) Enter the IQService Password for the IQService user.
  5. (Optional) Select Enable Transport Layer Security (TLS) if the connection is over TLS. For more information, refer to IQService: TLS and client authentication configuration for Identity Security Cloud.
  6. Select Save.

Review and Test

Perform a test to confirm the connection to SailPoint.

  1. Go to Review and Test.

  2. Confirm that the entries in each field are correct.

    If you note any mistakes, return to the section and make corrections.

  3. Select Test Connection.

SailPoint Application Onboarding

SailPoint application onboarding enables you to easily onboard new applications and create sources following the successful onboarding of a discovery source. To use this feature, continue to Discovered Applications in the SailPoint user interface.

For more information, refer to Application Onboarding in the SailPoint SaaS documentation.

Documentation Feedback

Feedback is provided as an informational resource only and does not form part of SailPoint’s official product documentation. SailPoint does not warrant or make any guarantees about the feedback (including without limitation as to its accuracy, relevance, or reliability). All feedback is subject to the terms set forth at https://developer.sailpoint.com/discuss/tos.