The Microsoft SharePoint provider in PADS4 allows you to connect and retrieve data from a SharePoint site, document library, or list.

​
Steps to Add or Modify a Microsoft SharePoint Connection

​
1. Start the Data Provider Wizard

  • Open PADS4 and navigate to the Data Provider Wizard.
  • Select Microsoft SharePoint as the provider type.
  • Click Next to continue.

​
2. Specify SharePoint Connection Settings

  • Enter the SharePoint URL to connect to your SharePoint environment.

  • Select the authentication method based on your organization’s setup:

    Authentication MethodDescription
    SharePoint Online CredentialsRequires a username and password.
    NTLM AuthenticationRequires username, password, and domain.
    Basic AuthenticationNo credentials required.
    Active Directory Authentication (ADAL)Authenticate via Microsoft Active Directory.

  • If your system uses a Proxy Server, specify the proxy settings.

  • Click Next to continue.

​
3. Select the Data Source

  • The data source must be a folder within SharePoint.
  • Click the Browse button to search and select the correct SharePoint folder. (This process may take time depending on the size of the SharePoint environment.)

​
4. Apply Optional Filters

  • Enable Published Date: Filter files based on the date they were published.
  • Select a time period: Choose the range of files you want to retrieve.

​
5. Define Data Retrieval Options

  • Commonly Used Columns (Default): Limits the amount of retrieved data by only returning essential columns.
  • Retrieve All Columns: Returns all available columns (may increase data load).
  • Add “NoHTML” Columns: Converts string-based columns to plain text (removes HTML content).

​
6. Complete the Setup

  • Click Next to continue.
  • Finish the wizard to save the data provider.

​
Important Notes

  • Supported SharePoint Versions: Only SharePoint 2013 and newer are supported. (Older versions are not implemented.)
  • Performance Considerations: Selecting all available columns may increase load time and data size.
  • Proxy Settings: If your system uses a proxy server, ensure that it allows SharePoint connections.

This setup allows PADS4 to retrieve and use real-time data from SharePoint for digital signage, reports, or automation.