> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.pads4.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connecting to Microsoft Sharepoint

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.

  <Info>
    Make sure you use the site URL and not the complete URL of a specific folder location.

    In step 3 "Select the Data Source" you can specify the exact directory you would like to use.
  </Info>
* Select the **authentication method** based on your organization's setup:

  | **Authentication Method**                  | **Description**                                  |
  | ------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------ |
  | **SharePoint Online Credentials**          | Requires a **username** and **password**.        |
  | **NTLM Authentication**                    | Requires **username, password, and domain**.     |
  | **Basic Authentication**                   | No 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.