Salesforce Files Connect FAQ — SharePoint Online, OneDrive, and Google Drive

Does Files Connect support Communities?
Yes. Starting with Winter '16, Community licenses are supported.


Does Salesforce Lightning support all Files Connect features?
No. In the Winter '16 release, only File references previously created in the Aloha UI are available.


Does Files Connect support Google Drive "Shared Drives"?
No. Currently, Files Connect only supports a user's personal My Drive.

Does Files Connect leverage write access to its connected external systems?
Starting with the Winter '16 release, the Chatter REST API can be used to create and update external documents.
On Google Drive, even the sharing settings can be modified.
The Salesforce UI doesn’t feature those write capabilities.


File download: why am I unable to download large files from my on-premises SharePoint?
The file size limit for downloads is 50 MB. This limitation is due to the Secure Agent. 


I'm unable to configure Files Connect to point on a SharePoint Online (aka Microsoft 365) public website or site. What could be the problem?
For SharePoint Online, Files Connect only supports Site Collections on version 2013. Version 2010 isn’t supported at all.


Is it possible to connect to as SharePoint Web Application (aka webapp)?
Yes, but a search engine must be available in order to connect.


I want to configure authentication to Sharepoint online. What are the supported protocols?
Only OAuth is supported.


How can I check my SharePoint Online version?
The version can be checked using this URL: https://[OFFICE365_ADMIN_DOMAIN]/_layouts/15/online/SiteCollections.aspx

For example, https://mycompany-admin.sharepoint.com/_layouts/15/online/SiteCollections.aspx

Only the SharePoint 2013 flavor of SharePoint online is supported.


I'm not able to see all files and folders when browsing my external SharePoint data source. Why?
In a SharePoint site, only document libraries are supported. Other library types and lists aren’t supported.

SharePoint folders that have special characters such as # and % in their names appear in the list on the Files home. However, you can't see or access any files within those folders.

Sharepoint Managed Metadata/Taxonomy field types are also not supported.


Are there any search limitations on a SharePoint external data source?
Yes:
Searching for “this is a phrase” returns any file containing “this” or “phrase” (SharePoint 2010 only).
Order by Name isn’t supported (SharePoint 2010 only).
Updated By criterion doesn't support the “=” operator.
Name criterion doesn't support the “=” operator


I'm unable to access a SharePoint 2010 data source from the Files tab or from the Chatter feed. Why?
Ask your SharePoint Administrator if anonymous access is enabled for the web application. If this is the case, it must be disabled so that the SharePoint data source can be accessed from Salesforce.

I want to set my external data source credentials, but I'm not able to access the external data source authentication settings page.

Ask your Salesforce Administrator to check that you have the system permission "View Setup and Configuration." It's necessary to have that permission in order to be able to access your External Authentication Settings.


If a document in SharePoint is moved, will the reference on Salesforce still work?
Yes, if the document is moved in the same content library.


How and where does Salesforce store the Office365 OAuth tokens? Is there any encryption in place?
OAuth token and OAuth refresh token are stored in ENCRYPTEDTEXT columns on the Salesforce database.


How does Salesforce handle token expiration, validation, and duration?
Expiration, validation, and duration are not handled in a specific way in Salesforce. When the token comes to expiration, the refresh token is used to get another one. When the refresh token comes to expire, the user has to initiate the OAuth flow again. Review, Manage Your Files Connect External Data Source Authentication Credentials.

Note: This isn't specific to Salesforce, but following OAuth 2.0.


If the Microsoft 365 password is changed, what must be done in Salesforce Chatter to pick up this change?
If the Office365 password is changed, delete the obsolete external data source auth. settings, and provide the new credentials as described here: Manage Your Files Connect External Data Source Authentication Credentials​.


Can the M365 OAuth token be used to access resources other than those in Sharepoint Online, for example, the user's Office365 mailbox?
No. The Files Connect external data source only implements Office365 API calls that relate to accessing a SharePoint Online site collection and its contents.


How to access Files Connect in Salesforce and Salesforce1?
Files Connect external data sources can be accessed in the Files app.


How to enable Salesforce Files Connect for Your Organization?
Ask your Salesforce Administrator to enable the Files Connect. Review Enable Salesforce Files Connect for Your Organization.


How to set up Salesforce Files Connect?
After Files Connect has been enabled in the org, refer to the steps outlined at The Files Connect Setup Process on how to set it up.


I can no longer configure Files Connect for SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business using Office 365 ACS method. Why?
Starting November 1, 2024, Microsoft is retiring Azure Access Control Services (ACS) impacting Files Connect for SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business authentication. With Microsoft retiring Azure ACS:

• New users cannot create Authentication provider for SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business using Office 365 (Alternative Method): 
  https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=experience.admin_files_connect_sp_online_auth_office365.htm&type=5
• Existing users are not impacted at the moment as Microsoft continues to provide support until April 2026.

For Sharepoint Online, you can create an Authentication provider using Azure (Preferred Method) as a workaround.
https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=experience.admin_files_connect_sp_online_auth.htm&type=5

Unfortunately, using Azure authentication (Preferred Method) is not supported for OneDrive for Business and no workaround is available at the moment.