SharePoint Connector Documentation
Index

Uploading Files

The SharePoint Connector provides multiple ways to upload files to SharePoint directly from Business Central. This page explains the upload methods and best practices.

Upload Methods

Method 1: Upload Button

The standard upload method:

  1. Open a record with SharePoint FactBox
  2. Navigate to the desired folder in the FactBox
  3. Click the Upload Document action
  4. Select a file from your device
  5. File uploads and appears in the list

Method 2: Drag and Drop

The fastest upload method:

  1. Open a record with SharePoint FactBox
  2. Open Windows Explorer with your file
  3. Drag the file onto the FactBox
  4. Drop when the upload indicator appears
  5. File uploads to the current folder

Method 3: Multiple Files

You can upload multiple files at once:

  1. Select multiple files in Windows Explorer
  2. Drag all files onto the FactBox
  3. All files upload to the current folder

Drag and Drop Details

How It Works

  1. The FactBox detects file drag over
  2. Visual indicator shows drop target
  3. On drop, files are uploaded
  4. Progress may be shown for large files

Supported Sources

Source Supported Notes
Windows Explorer Yes Standard drag and drop
Desktop Yes Files on desktop
Classic Outlook Yes Email attachments
New Outlook Limited Known issues with new Outlook
Other applications Varies Depends on application

Outlook Drag and Drop

Classic Outlook:

  • Drag emails or attachments directly
  • Works reliably

New Outlook:

  • May have issues with drag and drop
  • Use save-then-upload as workaround
  • Check for updates that may resolve this

Upload Destination

Current Folder

Files upload to the currently displayed folder in the FactBox:

  1. Navigate to desired folder first
  2. Then upload
  3. Files appear in that location

Example

If FactBox shows: /Customers/Contoso Ltd/Invoices/

Uploaded files go to: /Customers/Contoso Ltd/Invoices/

Creating Folders Before Upload

If subfolders have been preconfigured for the table:

  1. Click Create subfolders in the FactBox
  2. Preconfigured subfolders are created
  3. Navigate into the desired subfolder
  4. Then upload files

Note: The FactBox does not have a "New Folder" action for creating arbitrary folders. Subfolders are either preconfigured via Auto-Create Subfolders or created directly in SharePoint.

Upload Process

What Happens During Upload

  1. File is read from your device
  2. API call sends file to SharePoint
  3. SharePoint stores the file
  4. Metadata may be applied (if configured)
  5. FactBox refreshes to show new file

Upload Progress

For large files:

  • Progress indicator may display
  • Wait for upload to complete
  • Don't navigate away during upload

File Size Limits

The connector uploads each file in a single request (no chunked upload), so the practical limit is set by request size limits and timeouts — not by SharePoint's own per-file limit:

Limit Size Notes
Recommended Under 100 MB For reliable uploads
Larger files May fail or time out Upload directly in SharePoint instead
Practical limit Depends on connection Large files take time

File Naming

Automatic Naming

File names are sanitized on upload according to the Name Sanitization setting in SharePoint Setup (see the table below):

  • Letters, digits, spaces, and the file extension are preserved
  • In Strict mode, most other characters — including hyphens and parentheses — are replaced with underscores (uploaded as "Invoice-2024.pdf" → stored as "Invoice_2024.pdf")
  • In Relaxed mode, fewer characters are replaced

Name Conflicts

If a file with the same name already exists in the folder, the FactBox asks:

Prompt Result
"This file already exists, replace?" — Yes The existing file is overwritten
"This file already exists, replace?" — No The existing file is kept; the upload is cancelled

Name Sanitization

Based on setup settings:

Setting Behavior
Strict Replaces special characters with underscores
Relaxed Allows more characters

After Upload

Verification

After uploading:

  1. File should appear in FactBox list
  2. Click to verify it opens
  3. Check in SharePoint for confirmation

Applying Categories

After upload, you can categorize files:

  1. Select the uploaded file
  2. Assign a category
  3. Category color appears in list

Metadata Population

If metadata columns are configured:

  • Metadata is populated automatically
  • Based on the current record's field values

Bulk Upload Scenarios

Multiple Files

For uploading several files:

  1. Select all files in Explorer
  2. Drag as a group
  3. All upload to current folder

Large Batches

For many files:

  • Upload in batches
  • Allow time between batches
  • Consider network bandwidth

Migration Scenarios

For migrating existing documents:

Upload Troubleshooting

Upload Fails

Symptom Possible Cause Solution
Error message Permission issue Check SP permissions
Timeout File too large Use smaller file or wait
Network error Connectivity Check internet connection
Path error Invalid folder Verify folder path

File Doesn't Appear

Symptom Solution
Just uploaded Refresh the FactBox
Waited, still missing Check in SharePoint directly
Error during upload Check error message

Drag and Drop Not Working

Symptom Solution
No drop indicator Browser may not support
Drops but nothing happens Check browser console
From Outlook fails Use Classic Outlook or save first

Best Practices

Upload Guidelines

Practice Reason
Navigate first Ensure correct destination
Use meaningful names Easier to find later
Organize with folders Keep structure clean
Apply categories Visual organization
Verify after upload Confirm success

File Naming Conventions

Suggested naming patterns:

Document Type Pattern Example
Invoice INV-{number}.pdf INV-2024-001.pdf
Contract Contract-{name}-{date}.docx Contract-Contoso-2024.docx
Quote Quote-{number}.pdf Quote-QT001.pdf

Folder Organization

Before uploading, ensure:

  • Target folder exists
  • You're in the right location
  • Consistent structure across records